ACTIVATION AND RELEASE CONFIRMATION OF SEMI PERSISTENT SCHEDULING

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial Number

5 62/476,636, filed March 24, 2017, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial Number

62/502,590, filed May 5, 2017, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

10 Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication is a type of device-to-device communication

(D2D) that involves a user equipment (UE) associated with a vehicle (which may also be

referred to as a vehicular UE). In particular, V2X communication is any direct communication between a vehicular UE and either another vehicular UE, a non-vehicular UE associated for example with a pedestrian, or network infrastructure. V2X communication therefore includes

15 vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communication, and/or

vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication. V2X communication may for example convey safety-related information, such as information indicating a vehicle's presence or an event (e.g., a crash) detected by a vehicle.

To reduce control channel overhead for some V2X applications, V2X semi-persistent

20 scheduling (SPS) may be used to configure a vehicular UE with a semi-persistent allocation of

radio resources. In this regard, a V2X SPS configuration specifies a set of periodic resources that the vehicular UE may use for V2X communication, even if the UE does not receive a dynamic resource grant for those resources. The semi-persistent nature of the V2X SPS

configuration manifests itself in that the V2X SPS configuration may be activated or released, as

25 commanded by network infrastructure controlling radio resource usage. When the UE has an

activated V2X SPS configuration, the UE may use the resources specified by the configuration for V2X communication. But the UE must stop using those resources when the V2X SPS configuration is released.

Maintaining synchronization between the network and the vehicular UE in terms of the

30 active or released state of the V2X SPS configuration proves challenges in some contexts,

though. This proves especially true where different types of SPS configurations exist for

different types of communication (e.g., V2X communication vs. non-V2X communication) and/or exist for V2X communication on different types of resources (e.g. , uplink resources vs. sidelink resources). The lack of this synchronization renders the semi-persistently allocated resources

35 susceptible to interference or waste due to non-use. SUMMARY

Embodiments herein include a method performed by a user equipment configured for use in a wireless communication system. The method may comprise receiving from radio network equipment a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling, SPS, configuration. The SPS configuration specifies a set of periodic resources for communication. The method may further comprise determining, from an index of the SPS configuration that is agnostic as to a type of the SPS configuration, which bit of a message is to indicate whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration. The method may also comprise transmitting the message to the radio network equipment with the determined bit indicating whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration.

In some embodiments, multiple SPS configurations of different types supported by the wireless communication system, including the SPS configuration to be activated or released, have unique indices that are agnostic as to the types of the SPS configurations.

In some embodiments, bits of the message may have respective indices. In this case, the method may comprise determining the bit that is to indicate whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration as being the bit that has the same index as the index of the SPS configuration.

In other embodiments where bits of the message have respective indices, the method may comprise determining the bit that is to indicate whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration based on comparing the index of the SPS configuration to each of one or more other indices of one or more other SPS

configurations. In this case, for each of the one or more other SPS configurations the message indicates whether the user equipment confirms commanded activation or release of that other SPS configuration. The determination may therefore comprise identifying based on the comparing that the SPS configuration has the Nth smallest index among the one or more other indices and determining the bit that is to indicate whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration as being the bit with the Nth smallest index.

In any of these embodiments, the message may be a control message that comprises a medium access control, MAC, control element, CE.

In any of these embodiments, the index of the SPS configuration may be agnostic as to whether the SPS configuration is a non-V2X, Vehicle-to-everything, SPS configuration or a V2X SPS configuration.

Embodiments also include a method performed by radio network equipment configured for use in a wireless communication system. The method may comprise transmitting to a user equipment a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling, SPS, configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication. The method may also comprise determining, from an index of the SPS configuration that is agnostic as to a type of the SPS configuration, which bit of a message is to indicate whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration. The method may further comprise receiving from the user equipment the message with the determined bit indicating whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration.

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise checking the determined bit in the message to determine if the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration.

Alternatively or additionally, multiple SPS configurations of different types supported by the wireless communication system, including the SPS configuration to be activated or released, may have unique indices that are agnostic as to the types of the SPS configurations.

In some embodiments, bits of the message may have respective indices. In this case, the method may comprise determining the bit that is to indicate whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration as being the bit that has the same index as the index of the SPS configuration.

In other embodiments where bits of the message have respective indices, the method may comprise determining the bit that is to indicate whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration based on comparing the index of the SPS configuration to each of one or more other indices identifying one or more other SPS configurations. In this case, for each of the one or more other SPS configurations the message indicates whether the user equipment confirms commanded activation or release of that other SPS configuration. The determination may therefore comprise identifying based on the comparing that the SPS configuration has the Nth smallest index among the one or more other indices and determining the bit that is to indicate whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration as being the bit with the Nth smallest index.

Embodiments herein also include a method performed by a user equipment. The method may comprise receiving a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling, SPS, configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication. The method may further comprise, responsive to receiving the command, generating a medium access control, MAC, control element, CE, that confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration according to one of multiple different possible MAC CE formats defined for confirming activation or release of an SPS configuration. The method may also comprise generating a MAC protocol data unit, PDU, that includes the MAC CE as well as a MAC PDU subheader corresponding to the MAC CE, wherein the MAC PDU subheader has a logical channel identity, LCID, that is generic as to which of the multiple different possible MAC CE formats the MAC CE is generated. The method may then comprise transmitting the MAC PDU. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise determining according to which of the multiple different possible MAC CE formats to generate the MAC CE, based on with which or how many types of SPS configurations the user equipment is configured.

Embodiments herein further include a method performed by radio network equipment. The method may comprise transmitting a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling, SPS, configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication. The method may also comprise, responsive to transmitting the command, receiving a MAC protocol data unit, PDU, comprising a MAC control element, CE, as well as a MAC PDU subheader corresponding to the MAC CE. The MAC CE may confirm the

commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration according to one of multiple different possible MAC CE formats defined for confirming activation or release of an SPS configuration. The MAC PDU subheader may have a logical channel identity, LCID, that is generic as to which of the multiple different possible MAC CE formats the MAC CE is generated.

Embodiments herein also include corresponding apparatus, computer programs, and carriers.

For example, embodiments herein also include a user equipment configured for use in a wireless communication system. The user equipment may be configured to receive from radio network equipment a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling, SPS, configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication. The user equipment may also be configured to determine, from an index of the SPS

configuration that is agnostic as to a type of the SPS configuration, which bit of a message is to indicate whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration. The user equipment may further be configured to transmit the message to the radio network equipment with the determined bit indicating whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration.

Embodiments further include radio network equipment configured for use in a wireless communication system. The radio network equipment may be configured to transmit to a user equipment a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling, SPS, configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication. The radio network equipment may also be configured to determine, from an index of the SPS

configuration that is agnostic as to a type of the SPS configuration, which bit of a message is to indicate whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration. The radio network equipment may further be configured to receive from the user equipment the message with the determined bit indicating whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration.

Embodiments further include a user equipment configured to receive a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling, SPS, configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication. The user equipment may be configured to, responsive to receiving the command, generate a medium access control, MAC, control element, CE, that confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS

configuration according to one of multiple different possible MAC CE formats defined for confirming activation or release of an SPS configuration. The user equipment may also be configured to generate a MAC protocol data unit, PDU, that includes the MAC CE as well as a MAC PDU subheader corresponding to the MAC CE, wherein the MAC PDU subheader has a logical channel identity, LCID, that is generic as to which of the multiple different possible MAC CE formats the MAC CE is generated. The user equipment may be configured to transmit the MAC PDU.

Embodiments herein also include radio network equipment configured to transmit a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling, SPS, configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication. The radio network equipment may also be configured to, responsive to transmitting the command, receive a MAC protocol data unit, PDU, comprising a MAC control element, CE, as well as a MAC PDU subheader corresponding to the MAC CE, wherein the MAC CE confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration according to one of multiple different possible MAC CE formats defined for confirming activation or release of an SPS configuration, and wherein the MAC PDU subheader has a logical channel identity, LCID, that is generic as to which of the multiple different possible MAC CE formats the MAC CE is generated.

Embodiments herein further include a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a user equipment, causes the user equipment to carry out the method of any of the above embodiments.

Embodiments herein also include a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of radio network equipment, causes the radio network equipment to carry out the method of any of the above embodiments.

Embodiments further include a carrier containing any of these computer programs. The carrier may be one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or computer readable storage medium. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a wireless communication system that includes a user equipment according to some embodiments.

Figure 2 is a block diagram of a medium access control (MAC) protocol data unit (PDU) according to some embodiments.

Figures 3A-3B are block diagrams of type-specific control messages according to some embodiments.

Figure 4 is a block diagram of a control message specific for first and second types of SPS configurations according to some embodiments. Figure 5 is a block diagram of a control message specific for first and second types of SPS configurations according to other embodiments.

Figure 6A is a block diagram of a control message specific for first and second types of SPS configurations according to still other embodiments.

Figure 6B illustrates an example of the control message in Figure 6A.

Figure 6C is a block diagram of a type-agnostic control message according to some embodiments.

Figure 6D is a block diagram of a type-agnostic control message according to other embodiments.

Figures 7A-7F are logic flow diagrams of methods performed by radio network equipment according to particular embodiments.

Figures 8A-8F are logic flow diagrams of methods performed by a user equipment according to particular embodiments.

Figure 9A is a block diagram of radio network equipment according to some

embodiments.

Figure 9B is a block diagram of radio network equipment according to other

embodiments.

Figure 9C is a block diagram of radio network equipment according to yet other embodiments.

Figure 10A is a block diagram of user equipment according to some embodiments.

Figure 10B is a block diagram of user equipment according to other embodiments. Figure 10C is a block diagram of user equipment according to yet other embodiments. Figure 10D is a block diagram of user equipment according to further embodiments. Figure 11 is a block diagram of V2x scenarios for an LTE-based network according to some embodiments.

Figure 12 is a block diagram of an SPS confirmation MAC design with 4 octets according to some embodiments.

Figure 13 is a block diagram of a flexible MAC CE design for SPS confirmation according to some embodiments.

Figure 14 is a block diagram of a MAC CE design in which each octet is assigned to a certain technology according to some embodiments.

Figure 15 is a call flow diagram for a procedure to configure/activate/confirm a V2X UL SPS according to some embodiments.

Figure 16A is a table illustrating correlation between SPS indices for V2X UL SPS according to some embodiments.

Figure 16B is a table illustrating correlation between SPS indices for V2X SL SPS according to some embodiments. Figure 16C is a table illustrating correlation between SPS indices for LAA SPS according to some embodiments.

Figure 17 is a table illustrating an example of SPS indices according to some

embodiments.

Figure 18A is a block diagram of an SPS confirmation MAC Control Element of one octet according to some embodiments.

Figure 18B is a block diagram of an SPS confirmation MAC Control Element of two octets according to some embodiments.

Figure 19 is a block diagram of a telecommunication network connected via an intermediate network to a host computer according to some embodiments.

Figure 20 is a block diagram of a host computer communicating via a base station with a user equipment over a partially wireless connection according to some embodiments.

Figure 21 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment.

Figure 22 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment.

Figure 23 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment.

Figure 24 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 illustrates a wireless communication system 10 according to some

embodiments. As shown, the system 10 includes network infrastructure in the form of a radio access network (RAN) 12 and a core network (CN) 14 (e.g., operating according to Long Term Evolution, LTE, technology or 5G technology). The RAN 12 provides radio access to the CN 14, which may in turn provide connectivity to one or more external networks 16A, 16B. As shown, these external network(s) 16A, 16B include a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 16A and a packet data network (PDN) 16B, such as the Internet.

Figure 1 also shows user equipments (UEs) 18A-C (generally, 18) in the system 10 according to some embodiments. UEs 18A and 18B are associated with respective vehicles (e.g., a car, truck, bus, or the like) and may therefore be appropriately referred to as vehicular UEs. UEs 18A and/or 18B may for instance characterize the vehicles as a whole, may characterize components integrally installed or formed in the vehicles (e.g., in the vehicles' dashboard), and/or may characterize radio terminals communicatively connected to the vehicles (e.g., via Bluetooth). UE 18C by contrast may not be so associated with a vehicle. UE 18C may for instance be carried by a person, such as a pedestrian, driver, or other individual. Other kinds of UEs may also exist in the system 10, such as for instance a UE 18 associated with stationary traffic infrastructure (e.g., a traffic sign) and/or a UE associated with consumer electronics of any type (e.g., a laptop, at tablet, an e-reader, a smart appliance).

Any of the UEs 18A-C (referred to generically as a UE 18) may support communication with the network infrastructure, e.g., on a downlink (DL) and/or an uplink (UL) channel. Such communication may involve for instance communication with radio network equipment 24

(shown in Figure 1 as a base station or enhanced Node B, eNB) in the RAN 12, e.g., via LTE or 5G radio access. A UE 18 may additionally or alternatively support device-to-device

communication, so as to support direct communication between the UEs, e.g., on a sidelink (SL) channel.

A UE 18A for example may be configured for vehicle-to-everything (V2X)

communication. Configured in this way, the UE 18A may be configured to directly communicate with UE 18B via vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, directly communicate with UE 18C via vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communication, and/or communicate with radio network equipment 24 via vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication. UE 18B and UE 18C may be

correspondingly configured.

In some embodiments, the network infrastructure controls or otherwise governs the use of radio resources. The network infrastructure may for instance dynamically allocate radio resources (e.g., time-frequency resources) to a UE 18 for communication of any type (e.g., V2X, non-V2X, License Assisted Access (LAA)), by transmitting dynamic resource grants on a control channel to the UE 18. In this case, the UE 18 must receive a dynamic resource grant that grants a certain radio resource in order for the UE 18 to communicate on that resource. To reduce control channel overhead, though, the network infrastructure may alternatively or additionally use semi-persistent scheduling (SPS). With SPS, the UE 18 may be granted a semi-persistent allocation of radio resources for communication, i.e., a resource grant may persist for some time, as opposed to dynamic scheduling which may utilize one-time resource grants.

Figure 1 in this regard shows that an SPS configuration 26 may specify a set 28 of periodic resources 30 (e.g., time-frequency resources) that, e.g., a UE 18 may use for communication of a particular type (e.g., V2X). The UE 18 may use those resources for communication even if the UE 18 does not receive a dynamic resource grant for those resources. That said, the semi-persistent nature of the SPS configuration 26 manifests itself in that the SPS configuration 26 may be activated or released, as commanded by the network infrastructure controlling radio resource usage. When the SPS configuration 26 is active, the periodic resources specified by the configuration 26 may be used for communication. But when the SPS configuration 28 is released, the periodic resources may not be used for

communication, e.g., the network infrastructure may reallocate those resources.

Accordingly, Figure 1 shows that radio network equipment 24 may transmit to a UE 18 a command 32 to activate or release the SPS configuration 26. The command 32 may be transmitted for instance as downlink control information (DCI), e.g., using DCI format 0 scrambled by an SPS radio network temporary identity (RNTI). Regardless, the radio network equipment 24 and the UE 18 may be configured to activate or release the SPS configuration 26 in accordance with the command 32. When the SPS configuration 26 is activated by the command 32, for instance, the radio network equipment 24 and the UE 18 may transmit or receive communication on the set 28 of periodic resources 30 specified by the SPS

configuration 26. When the SPS configuration 26 is released by the command 32, though, the radio network equipment 24 and the UE 18 may cease transmitting or receiving communication on the set 28 of periodic resources 30, at least if no dynamic resource grant is received for those resources 30. Although generically described with respect to a single UE 18, the radio network equipment 24 may communicate in this way with each UE 18 to activate or release its respective SPS configuration.

Notably, a UE 18 according to some embodiments herein is configured to, responsive to receiving the command 32, transmit a confirmation 34 that confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration 26. The radio network equipment 24 may correspondingly be configured to, responsive to transmitting the command 32, monitor for such a confirmation 34 from the UE 18.

Such a confirmation 34 may facilitate synchronization between the radio network equipment 24 and a UE 18 in terms of the active or released state of the SPS configuration 26. The radio network equipment 24 may for example not consider the SPS configuration 26 to be activated or released as commanded, until it receives the confirmation 32 that the UE 18 received the activate or release command 32.

If for example the radio network equipment 24 does not receive confirmation of a release command, the radio network equipment 24 may defer re-allocating the configuration's resources, e.g., so as to avoid interfering with communications that may still be occurring on those resources due to the UE's 18 failure to receive the release command. The radio network equipment 24 may furthermore monitor for any communications still transmitted by the UE 18 on the configuration's resources and/or re-transmit the release command. Accordingly, in some embodiments, this may advantageously prevent interference on or waste of the radio resources that are semi-persistently allocated by the SPS configuration 26 for communication.

Some embodiments prove advantageous in this and/or other ways even when different types of SPS configurations exist for different types of communication (e.g., V2X communication vs. non-V2X communication) and/or exist for V2X communication on different types of resources (e.g., uplink resources vs. sidelink resources).

In some embodiments, for example, different types of SPS configurations may exist for non-V2X communication on different types of resources, e.g., by non-vehicular UE 18C. In LTE- based networks, for instance, a particular type of LTE UL SPS configuration may specify a set of periodic resources for uplink LTE transmission, e.g., by non-vehicular UE 18C. Alternatively or additionally, different types of V2X SPS configurations may exist for V2X communication on different types of resources. One such type for instance may be a V2X UL SPS configuration which specifies resources for uplink V2X communication on an interface to the RAN 12 (e.g., the Uu interface in LTE). Using such a configuration, for example, the UE 18 may transmit uplink V2X communication to radio network equipment 24. Another such type may be a V2X SL SPS configuration which specifies resources for V2X communication on a sidelink (e.g., over the so called PC5 interface in 3 ^rd Generation Partnership Project, 3GPP, as extended to the V2X domain). Using such a configuration, for example, the UE 18A may transmit V2X communication to UE 18B and/or UE 18C.

In fact, in some embodiments, any given UE may be configured with multiple SPS configurations, e.g., of the same type or of different types. In particular, multiple V2X SPS configurations (e.g., up to 8 V2X UL SPS configurations and/or up to 8 V2X SL SPS

configurations) may be active at the same time for a given UE. Multiple non-V2X SPS configurations may similarly be active at the same time for a given UE. The configurations may have different configuration parameters (e.g., periodicity). The multiple SPS configurations may be indexed (e.g., within the same type) so that control signaling can distinguish between those configurations. For example, the command 32 to activate or release a particular SPS configuration may specify a type of the SPS configuration and/or an index of that SPS configuration. In some embodiments, multiple SPS configurations may be activated or released at the same time, e.g., using the same command 32 or different commands.

Especially in the face of such different types and/or number of SPS configurations, lack of synchronization between the network and a UE 18 in terms of the active or released state of an SPS configuration renders the associated resources susceptible to interference or waste due to non-use. For example, if an activate command is not received by a UE 18, radio network equipment 24 otherwise not configured to monitor for confirmation as described herein would assume that the command was received. Yet the radio network equipment 24 would not schedule any traffic using the resources associated with the configuration (e.g., without any sort of request from the UE), which may lead to waste due to non-use. Similarly, if a release command is not received by a UE, radio network equipment 24 otherwise not configured to monitor for confirmation as described herein would assume that the command was received and that the UE has stopped using the resources associated with the configuration. If, based on that assumption, the radio network equipment 24 were to schedule other traffic using those resources, those resources may be used by more than one UE, which leads to interference and possibly transmission failure. These problems may be exacerbated with multiple types and/or numbers of SPS configurations.

Some embodiments address these and/or other problems using a confirmation 34 that is generic for confirming activation or release of any SPS configuration, e.g., without regard to a type or index of that SPS configuration. That is, the confirmation 34 is agnostic as to the type of SPS configuration whose activation or release is confirmed and is agnostic as to which of multiple SPS configurations is the one whose activation or release is confirmed. The

confirmation 34 in this regard may not distinguish between different SPS configuration types or indices, e.g., in terms of the content and/or format of the confirmation 34. For example, the confirmation 34 may not distinguish between an LTE UL SPS configuration, an V2X UL SPS configuration, and a V2X SL SPS configuration. The UE 18 may therefore send the same confirmation 34 (e.g., in terms of content and/or format) regardless of the type and/or number of the SPS configuration the UE 18 is confirming commanded activation or release.

In some embodiments, for instance, the confirmation 34 is sent in a medium access control (MAC) protocol data unit (PDU). As shown in Figure 2, a MAC PDU 40 may consist of a MAC header 42, zero or more MAC service data units (SDUs) 44-0, ...44-N, zero or more MAC control elements (CEs) 46-0, ...46-M, and optional padding 48. The MAC header 42 and the MAC SDUs 44-0, ...44-N may be of variable size. A MAC PDU header 42 consists of one or more MAC PDU subheaders, where each subheader corresponds to either a MAC SDU, a MAC CE, or padding. As shown, a MAC PDU subheader consists of four to six header fields from among a reserved (R) field whose purpose is reserved for future releases, a length (L) field that indicates the length of the MAC SDU or MAC CE to which the subheader corresponds, format (F) and format2 (F2) fields that indicate the size of the L field, an extension (E) field that indicates whether or not more fields are present in the MAC header, and a logical channel identity (LCID) field that indicates an identity of the logical channel instance of the

corresponding MAC SDU, MAC CE, or padding.

With such a MAC PDU structure, the confirmation 34 may more particularly comprise a MAC CE identified by a MAC PDU subheader with a certain logical channel identity (LCID). This certain LCID (e.g., 10101) may for instance be generic as to a type or index of SPS

configuration whose activation or release is confirmed. That is, the UE 18 transmits the same MAC CE identified by a MAC PDU subheader with the same LCID, no matter the type of SPS configuration whose activation or release is being confirmed. The MAC CE thereby supports multiple types of SPS configurations, e.g., LTE UL SPS configuration, V2X UL SPS

configuration, and V2X SL SPS configuration. The MAC CE may have a fixed size of zero bits.

When the radio network equipment 24 receives such a generic confirmation 34, however, the radio network equipment 34 may still consider a certain SPS configuration's activation or release as being confirmed. The radio network equipment 24 may for instance identify the SPS configuration whose activation or release is confirmed based on the timing with which the command 32 and the confirmation 34 are respectively transmitted and received. The radio network equipment 24 in some embodiments may for example avoid commanding activation or release of multiple SPS configurations in parallel, e.g., so as to only have one outstanding command unconfirmed at any given time. Such advantageously enables re-using a confirmation 34 for generically confirming multiple different types and/or numbers of SPS configurations.

In some embodiments in this regard, a UE 18 may be configured to transmit the confirmation 34 within a defined time period (e.g., 10 or 20ms) since receipt of the command 34. Similarly, the radio network equipment 24 may be configured to monitor for the confirmation 34 until a defined time period (which may be the same time period required of the UE) elapses since transmission of the command 32. The radio network equipment 24 may consider the command 32 as being received when and only when it receives the confirmation 34 before the defined time period elapses. If the radio network equipment 24 receives the confirmation 34 before that time period elapses, it may then transmit another command that the UE 18 is to activate or release another SPS configuration (e.g., so as to only have one unconfirmed command outstanding at any given time). However, if the radio network equipment 24 has not received the confirmation 34 within the defined time period, it may not transmit another command, at least not until the defined time period expires without receipt of the confirmation 34. In this case, the radio network equipment 24 may re-transmit the command or transmit another command. Effectively, therefore, the radio network equipment 24 in some embodiments defers transmission of a command that the user equipment 18 is to activate or release another SPS configuration, until either the confirmation 34 is received or the defined time period elapses since transmission of the command 32.

In other embodiments, the confirmation 34 is specific for confirming activation or release of a specific type of SPS configuration. This specific type may be for instance a V2X UL SPS configuration or a V2X SL SPS configuration. The confirmation 34 may alternatively or additionally be specific for confirming a specific V2X SPS configuration out of multiple V2X SPS configurations (e.g., of the specific type). With such a specific confirmation, the radio network equipment 24 may be configured to command activation or release of multiple SPS

configurations simultaneously and/or the UE 18 (for example) may be configured to confirm commanded activation or release of multiple SPS configurations simultaneously (e.g., with the same or different confirmation).

In this regard, the confirmation 34 in some embodiments may be included in a control message (e.g., in the form of a MAC CE), where multiple confirmations are transmittable in that control message for respectively confirming commanded activation or release of multiple SPS configurations. The control message (e.g., MAC CE) may for instance comprise multiple bits respectively dedicated for the multiple SPS configurations. Each of the multiple bits may be dedicated for confirming commanded activation or release of one of the multiple SPS

configurations.

In some embodiments, the multiple SPS configurations that may be confirmed with the control message may be multiple SPS configurations of the same type. Where multiple types of SPS configurations exist, therefore, different control messages may convey confirmations for different types of SPS configurations.

Figures 3A-3B illustrate different type-specific control messages in this regard. Figure 3A shows a control message 50 specific for a first type of SPS configuration, whereas Figure 3B shows a control message 52 specific for a second type of SPS configuration. The first and/or second type may for any SPS configuration, including V2X, non-V2X, UL, and/or SL SPS configurations. For example, the control message 50 in Figure 3A may for instance be a MAC CE specific for V2X UL SPS configuration, whereas the control message 52 in Figure 3B may be a MAC CE specific for V2X SL SPS configuration. Different control messages (e.g., different MAC CEs) may thereby be dedicated for confirming SPS configurations of different types.

In one embodiment in this regard, a MAC CE usable for confirming activation or release of a first SPS configuration is different from a MAC CE usable for confirming activation or release of a second SPS configuration. A specific LCID (e.g., 10100) for the uplink shared channel (UL-SCH) may be defined for confirming activation or release of a first SPS

configuration (or type thereof), and a different specific LCID (e.g., 10001) for UL-SCH may be defined for confirming activation or release of a second SPS configuration (or type thereof). Accordingly, a confirmation that confirms activation or release of a SPS configuration (and/or specific type thereof) may be included in a MAC CE identified by a MAC PDU subheader with a LCID that is specific to confirming activation or release of, e.g., that specific type of SPS configuration.

In any event, Figures 3A and 3B show the control messages 50, 52 (e.g., a MAC CEs) as comprising up to 8 bits respectively dedicated for up to 8 SPS configurations. In this case, the control message 50 in Figure 3A may be used for confirming activation or release of up to 8 SPS configurations (e.g., of the first type) and the control message 52 in Figure 3B may be used for confirming activation or release of up to 8 SPS configurations (e.g., of the second type). Padding may be used if fewer configurations are confirmable in the control message 50 or 52 (e.g., bits 0-3 may be for confirming 4 SPS configurations, while bits 4-7 may be for padding). In any event, bit 0 may be used for confirming SPS configuration with an index of 0, bit 1 may be used for confirming SPS configuration with an index of 1 , and so on up to 8.

Note though that an SPS configuration's activation or release may be confirmed in any number of ways using a bit's value. In one embodiment, for instance, for each of the bits comprising the control message 50 or 52, a value of the bit indicates whether or not a command to activate or release the SPS configuration for which the bit is dedicated was received, e.g. 1 indicates UE received a command and 0 indicates UE did not receive a command.

In another embodiment, for each of the bits comprising the control message 50 or 52, a value of the bit indicates whether the SPS configuration for which the bit is dedicated is or will be active or released following any commanded activation or release. The value of each bit may for instance indicate the current status of the SPS configuration upon the UE reporting confirmation, e.g. 1 indicates the SPS configuration in the UE is activated while 0 indicate released.

As an alternative to type-specific control messages in Figures 3A-3B, Figure 4 illustrates that the same control message 54 in some embodiments may be used for confirming activation or release of multiple SPS configurations of the one type and multiple SPS configurations of another type. For example, the same MAC CE may be used for confirming activation or release of multiple V2X SPS configurations and multiple non-V2X SPS configurations. The MAC CE may be identified for instance by a MAC PDU subheader with an LCID (e.g., 10100) that is specific to confirming activation or release of an SPS configuration, but is generic as to a type of that SPS configuration.

In any event, as shown in Figure 4, the control message 54 may include two octets: one for confirming activation or release of multiple SPS configurations of one type (e.g., V2X SL SPS or other type) and one for confirming activation or release of multiple SPS configurations of another type (e.g., non-V2X UL SPS or other type). As explained above with respect to Figures 3A-3B, confirmation may be indicated in any number of ways using the bits' values.

Note of course that the control message 54 may include fewer bits if fewer SPS configurations are able to be simultaneously activated/released or confirmed. In some embodiments, for instance, the UE 18 may support a maximum of 4 SPS configurations of one type (e.g., V2X UL SPS) and a maximum of 4 SPS configurations of another type (e.g., V2X SL SPS).

In this case, the control message (e.g., MAC CE) may be defined as shown in Figure 5 for first and second SPS types. The control message 56 in this regard includes one octet, i.e. 8 bits. 4 bits, e.g. SL#0-SL#3, are for confirming activation or release of up to 4 SPS

configurations of a first type (e.g., V2X UL SPS), respectively. 4 other bits, e.g. SL#4-SL#7, are for confirming activation or release of up to 4 SPS configurations of a second type (e.g., V2X SL SPS), respectively. Again, as explained above with respect to Figures 3A-3B, confirmation may be indicated in any number of ways using the bits' values.

As still another alternative, Figure 6A illustrates that the same control message (e.g., MAC CE) in some embodiments may be used for confirming activation or release of multiple SPS configurations of different types. In this case, the control message 58 may comprise multiple confirmation fields 59 for the multiple confirmations, where each confirmation field 59 includes a type field 59A for indicating a type of SPS configuration whose activation or release is confirmed and further includes an index field 59B for indicating an index of the SPS configuration whose activation or release is confirmed.

More particularly as shown, the control message 58 consists of one octet, i.e. 8 bits. Bit

7 indicates the type (e.g., V2X SL SPS) of one SPS configuration whose activation or release is confirmed by the message, whereas bits 6-4 indicate an index of that SPS configuration. With these 3 bits, for instance, the control message 58 may index up to 8 SPS configurations of a certain type, such that the combination of Bit 7 with Bits 6-4 indicate which of multiple SPS configurations of a specific type the confirmation relates. The same can be said for Bits 3 and Bits 2-0. Accordingly, this one control message 58 (e.g., one CE) can confirm up to two SPS configurations, which may be the same or different in type. If activation or release of only one SPS configuration needs to be confirmed, the same content may be set in Bits 7-4 and 3-0.

In these embodiments, the signaling of a particular SPS configuration in the control message may confirm that configuration's activation or release in any number of ways. For example, in some embodiments, an SPS configuration's index being carried by either "SPS index #1" or "SPS index #0" confirms that configuration's commanded activation or release, i.e., that UE 18 received a command (which may be an activate command or a release command) for the concerned SPS configuration. In other embodiments, an SPS configuration's index being carried by either "SPS index #1" or "SPS index #0" indicates the current status of the concerned SPS configuration upon the UE 18 reporting confirmation, e.g. it indicates the concerned SPS configuration is activated at the UE 18.

Figure 6B illustrates one example. In this case, the UE 18 confirms it receives one or more commands for activating or releasing two SPS configurations of different types. One configuration is V2X SL SPS, such that the UE 18 sets SL/UL#1 = 0, whereas the other configuration is V2X UL SPS, such that the UE 18 sets SL/UL#0 = 1. The UE 18 also sets SPS Index #1 to confirm activation or release of the V2X SL SPS configuration with an index of 010. Similarly, the UE 18 sets SPS Index #0 to confirm activation or release of the V2X UL SPS configuration with an index of 1 11.

Figure 6C illustrates still other embodiments. In this case, the UE 18 confirms whether the UE 18 receives command(s) for activating or releasing SPS configurations(s), using a message 62 that is agnostic as to the types of those SPS configurations. The message 62 in this case can therefore be used for different types of SPS configurations. In fact, each bit of the message 62 may be configurable for confirming activation or release of any type of SPS configuration.

More particularly, Figure 6C shows that the message 62 includes multiple bits indexed as bits 1-8 in a first octet. If the message includes additional octets (e.g., for confirming more than eight SPS configurations), the bits of those octets are indexed as bits 9-16, and so on for any further octets.

Moreover, SPS configurations are also indexed. In some embodiments, the indices which index SPS configurations are agnostic as to the types of the SPS configurations. For example, multiple SPS configurations of different types may be supported by the wireless communication system 10, and those multiple SPS configurations may have unique indices so as to be agnostic as to SPS type, as opposed to having indices which are specific to each SPS configuration type and thereby possibly having the same index for different types of SPS configurations. For example, the range of SPS configuration indices may be from 1 to the number of SPS configurations supported by the system 10 and/or UE 18, regardless of the SPS configuration type(s) (e.g., if the system 10 and/or UE 18 supports 8 V2X SL SPS

configurations, 8 V2X UL SPS configurations, and 32 V2X SPS configurations, the value range of SPS configuration indices may be 1 ...48). In other embodiments, though, the indices are specific to each SPS configuration type. No matter whether the indices are agnostic or specific as to SPS configuration type, the indices may be dynamically assigned by the radio network equipment 24 in some embodiments, e.g., on a user equipment specific basis. Such assignment may occur for instance when the SPS configuration is configured by the radio network equipment 24. Using indices that are agnostic to SPS configuration type (as compared to indices that are specific to each SPS type) enable more compact signalling for confirming activation/deactivation of SPS configurations e.g. when confirming activation/deactivation of both a V2X UL SPS and a V2X SL SPS at the same time. It is also more future proof since existing protocols/implementations do not need to be updated when introducing new SPS types in the future.

In any event, with the bits of the message and the SPS configurations indexed, the SPS configuration indices may be correlated or mapped to the bits of the message 62 according to some embodiments. Accordingly, the UE 18 in some embodiments determines which bit of the message 62 is to indicate whether the UE 18 confirms the commanded activation or release of a certain SPS configuration, from or based on the index of that SPS configuration. In one embodiment shown in Figure 6C, for example, the UE 18 determines the bit that is to indicate whether the UE 18 confirms the commanded activation or release of a certain SPS configuration as being the bit that has the same index as the index of that certain SPS configuration. As shown, for instance, the UE 18 is to use bit # 1 for indicating whether the UE 18 confirms commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration with index # 1 , use bit # 2 for indicating whether the UE 18 confirms commanded activation or release of the SPS

configuration with index # 2, and so on. That is, bit # i indicates the activation or release status of the SPS configuration with index i. The radio network equipment 24 performs corresponding processing to receive the message 62 and determine whether the certain SPS configuration is confirmed. That is, the radio network equipment 24 checks the bit with that index to determine if the UE 18 confirms the commanded activation or release of that SPS configuration.

In other embodiments, the correlation or mapping between bit indices and SPS configuration indices may be different than that described in Figure 6C, e.g., may generally be according to any mapping function. Figure 6D illustrates one alternative embodiment in this regard. As shown in Figure 6D, the bit of the message 64 that indicates whether the UE 18 confirms the commanded activation or release of an SPS configuration with a certain index is based on a comparison of the SPS configuration's index to each of one or more other SPS configuration indices identifying one or more other SPS configurations. For each of the one or more other SPS configurations, the message 64 indicates whether the UE 18 confirms commanded activation or release of that other SPS configuration. In one example, the nth bit is used for indicating whether the UE 18 confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration with the nth smallest index. As shown, for instance, bit # 1 is used for confirming activation/release of the SPS configuration with the smallest index, bit # 2 is used for confirming activation/release of the SPS configuration with the second smallest index, bit # 3 is used for confirming activation/release of the SPS configuration with the third smallest index, etc.

Applying the "nth smallest index" mapping as discussed above, enables reducing the size of signaling messages for confirming activation/release e.g. when there are gaps between indices of SPS configurations such as when there are two SPS configurations with index 1 and index 15 respectively.

Note that in some embodiments, the index of the SPS configuration that is correlated or mapped to the indices of the bits in a confirmation message may be just one of multiple indices of an SPS configuration. In one embodiment, for example, each SPS configuration has an index of a first type as well as an index of a second type that are each to identify that same SSP configuration. The radio network equipment 24 may use the first type of index in order to identify the SPS configuration that is activated or released by a command, e.g., in downlink control information, DCI. The first type of index in some embodiments may therefore be referred to herein as SPS_lndex_DCI. Rather than use this same first type of index in its confirmation message, though, the UE 18 uses the second type of index to identify the SPS configuration that a message confirms as being activated or released. As described above, for example, the UE 18 may map the second type of index of the SPS configuration to a certain bit in the message, and then set the value of that bit to indicate that it is the SPS configuration identified with a certain index whose activated or released status is being confirmed. Where this second type of index is agnostic as to SPS configuration type as described above, the second type of index may be referred to herein as SPS_lndex_Global.

With an SPS configuration being identified by indices of both the first and second types, the UE 18 and radio network node 24 may map or otherwise translate between these two types of indices. For example, responsive to receiving a command to activate or release an SPS configuration identified in the command using an index of the first type, the UE 18 may map that index of the first type to a corresponding index of the second type that also identifies that SPS configuration. The UE 18 may then transmit a message indicating whether the UE 18 confirms the commanded activation or release of that SPS configuration as identified in the message using the index of the second type. The UE 18 may for instance map the index of the second type to a certain bit in the message, and then set that bit to indicate the activated or released status of the SPS configuration.

In some embodiments, it is the radio network equipment 24 that assigns indices of the first and second types as being for identifying a given SPS configuration. The radio network equipment 24 may assign these indices for instance when configuring the SPS configuration, and signal the indices to the UE 18. In fact, in some embodiments, this index assignment may occur dynamically or otherwise on an as-needed or on-the-fly basis, so as to be flexible. Such flexibility may allow dynamic message size adjustment.

Figures 3A-6D thereby illustrate different possible formats for a control message that confirms activation or release of an SPS configuration. In some embodiments, one or more of the illustrated formats may each be defined as a possible format of a control message for confirming activation or release of an SPS configuration, alternatively or in addition to any other formats that may be defined for such a control message. The user equipment 18 and radio network equipment 24 may determine which format to use for respectively transmitting and receiving the control message based on, for example, with which or how many SPS

configurations (or types of SPS configurations) the user equipment 18 is configured or supports. In this case, the format of the control message does not need to be explicitly signaled.

In these and other embodiments, then, where the control message takes the form of a MAC CE that has different possible MAC CE formats for confirming activation or release of an SPS configuration, the MAC PDU subheader corresponding to that MAC CE may have an LCID (e.g., 10101) that is generic as to which of the multiple possible MAC CE formats the MAC CE is generated. That is, different LCIDs need not be defined or dedicated for indicating different MAC CE formats for confirming SPS configuration activation or release. Instead, the same LCID may be reused or common for those different MAC CE formats, which may for instance conserve LCID values for other purposes. In some embodiments, for example, if the user equipment 18 does not support any feature requiring more than one SPS configuration (e.g., because the user equipment 18 does not support V2X and LAA) or if only one SPS configuration is configured for the user equipment 18, a certain (e.g., legacy) MAC CE format may be used, e.g., that only supports confirming the activation or release of a single SPS configuration or single SPS configuration type. But if more than one SPS configuration is configured for the user equipment 18, a different MAC CE format may be used, such as one of the MAC CE formats illustrated in Figures 3A-6D, e.g., that supports confirming the activation or release of more than one SPS configuration or SPS configuration type.

In view of the above modifications and variations, Figure 7A illustrates a method 100 performed by radio network equipment 24 according to some embodiments. As shown, the method 100 may comprise transmitting a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration of a first type, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication (Block 105). The method 100 may further comprise, responsive to transmitting the command, receiving a message (e.g., message 54, 56, or 58) that includes a first field whose value confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration of the first type (Block 1 10). The first field is statically defined as or is configurable as being for confirming commanded activation or release of the first type of SPS configuration. The message is statically defined as or is configurable as further including a second field for confirming commanded activation or release of a second type of SPS configuration different than the first type.

Figure 7B illustrates a method 1 15 performed by a radio network equipment 24 according to other embodiments. As shown, the method 115 may comprise transmitting a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication(Block 120). The method 115 may further comprise, responsive to transmitting the command, receiving a MAC protocol data unit (PDU) (e.g., MAC PDU 40) comprising a MAC control element (CE) as well as a MAC PDU subheader corresponding to the MAC CE (Block 125). The MAC CE confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration according to one of multiple different possible MAC CE formats defined for confirming activation or release of an SPS configuration. The MAC PDU subheader has a logical channel identity (LCID) that is generic as to which of the multiple different possible MAC CE formats the MAC CE is generated.

Figure 7C illustrates a method 130 performed by a radio network equipment 24 according to yet other embodiments. As shown, the method 130 may comprise transmitting to user equipment a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication (Block 135). The method 130 may further comprise, responsive to transmitting the command , receiving from the user equipment a message (e.g., message 62 or 64) that confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration (Block 140). Each of one or more bits or octets of the message is configurable by the radio network equipment for confirming activation or release of any of multiple different types of SPS configurations or multiple different SPS configuration indices.

Figure 7D illustrates a method 145 performed by a radio network equipment 24 according to still other embodiments. As shown, the method 145 may comprise transmitting to a user equipment signaling indicating both an index of a first type and an index of a second type that are to each identify the same semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, wherein the SPS configuration specifies a set of periodic resources for communication (Block 150). The method 145 may further comprise transmitting to the user equipment a command to activate or release the SPS configuration as identified in the command using the index of the first type

(Block 155). The method 145 may also comprise receiving from the user equipment a message (e.g., message 62 or 64) that indicates whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration as identified in the message using the index of the second type (Block 160).

Figure 7E illustrates a method 165 performed by a radio network equipment 24 according to other embodiments. As shown, the method 165 may comprise transmitting to a user equipment a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication (Block 170). The method 165 may further comprise determining, from an index of the SPS configuration that is agnostic as to a type of the SPS configuration, which bit of a message (e.g., message 62 or 64) is to indicate whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration (Block 175). The method 165 may also comprise receiving from the user equipment the message with the determined bit indicating whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration (Block 180).

Figure 7F illustrates a method 185 performed by a radio network equipment 24 according to still another one or more embodiments. As shown, the method 185 may comprise transmitting to a user equipment signaling indicating an index i that is to identify a semi- persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, wherein the SPS configuration specifies a set of periodic resources for communication (Block 190). The method 185 may also comprise transmitting to the user equipment a command to activate or release the SPS configuration (Block 195). The method 185 may then comprise receiving from the user equipment a message (e.g., message 62) whose i'th bit indicates whether the user equipment confirms the

commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration (Block 198).

Figure 8A illustrates a method 200 performed by a user equipment 18, according to embodiments. As shown, the method 200 may comprise receiving a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration of a first type, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication (Block 205). The method 200 may further comprise, responsive to receiving the command, transmitting a message (e.g., message 54, 56, or 58) that includes a first field whose value confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration of the first type (Block 210). The first field is statically defined as or is configurable as being for confirming commanded activation or release of the first type of SPS configuration. The message is statically defined as or is configurable as further including a second field for confirming commanded activation or release of a second type of SPS configuration different than the first type.

Figure 8B illustrates a method 215 performed by a user equipment 18, according to other embodiments. As shown, the method 215 may comprise receiving a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication (Block 220). The method 215 may further comprise, responsive to receiving the command, generating a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) that confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS

configuration according to one of multiple different possible MAC CE formats defined for confirming activation or release of an SPS configuration (Block 225). The method 215 may further comprise generating a MAC protocol data unit (PDU) (e.g., MAC PDU 40) that includes the MAC CE as well as a MAC PDU subheader corresponding to the MAC CE (Block 230). The MAC PDU subheader has a logical channel identity (LCID) that is generic as to which of the multiple different possible MAC CE formats the MAC CE is generated. The method 215 may further comprise transmitting the MAC PDU (Block 235).

Figure 8C illustrates a method 240 performed by a user equipment 18, according to yet other embodiments. As shown, the method 240 may comprise receiving from radio network equipment a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication (Block 245). The method 240 may further comprise, responsive to receiving the command, transmitting to the radio network equipment a message (e.g., message 62 or 64) that confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration (Block 250). Each of one or more bits or octets of the message is configurable by the radio network equipment for confirming activation or release of any of multiple different types of SPS configurations or multiple different SPS configuration indices.

Figure 8D illustrates a method 255 performed by a user equipment 18, according to yet other embodiments. As shown, the method 255 may comprise receiving from radio network equipment signaling indicating both an index of a first type and an index of a second type that are to each identify the same semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, wherein the SPS configuration specifies a set of periodic resources for communication (Block 260). The method 255 may also comprise receiving from the radio network equipment a command to activate or release the SPS configuration as identified in the command using the index of the first type (Block 265). The method 255 may further comprise transmitting to the radio network node a message (e.g., message 62 or 64) that indicates whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration as identified in the message using the index of the second type (Block 270).

Figure 8E illustrates a method 275 performed by a user equipment 18, according to yet other embodiments. As shown, the method 275 may comprise receiving from radio network equipment a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication (Block 280). The method 275 may also comprise determining, from an index of the SPS configuration that is agnostic as to a type of the SPS configuration, which bit of a message (e.g., message 62 or 64) is to indicate whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration (Block 285). The method 275 may further comprise transmitting the message to the radio network equipment with the determined bit indicating whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration (Block 290).

Figure 8F illustrates a method 292 performed by a user equipment 18, according to still other embodiments. As shown, the method 292 may comprise receiving from radio network equipment signaling indicating an index i that is to identify a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, wherein the SPS configuration specifies a set of periodic resources for communication (Block 294). The method 292 may also comprise receiving from the radio network equipment a command to activate or release the SPS configuration (Block 296). The method 292 may further comprise transmitting to the radio network equipment 24 a message (e.g., message 62) whose i'th bit indicates whether the user equipment confirms the

commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration (Block 298).

As used herein, "wireless device" refers to a device capable, configured, arranged and/or operable to communicate wirelessly with network equipment and/or another wireless device. Communicating wirelessly may involve transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals using electromagnetic signals, radio waves, infrared signals, and/or other types of signals suitable for conveying information through air. In particular embodiments, wireless devices may be configured to transmit and/or receive information without direct human interaction. For instance, a wireless device may be designed to transmit information to a network on a predetermined schedule, when triggered by an internal or external event, or in response to requests from the network. Generally, a wireless device may represent any device capable of, configured for, arranged for, and/or operable for wireless communication, for example radio communication devices. Examples of wireless devices include, but are not limited to, user equipment (UE) such as smart phones. Further examples include wireless cameras, wireless- enabled tablet computers, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, and/or wireless customer-premises equipment (CPE).

As one specific example, a wireless device may represent a UE configured for communication in accordance with one or more communication standards, e.g., promulgated by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as 3GPP's GSM, UMTS, LTE, and/or 5G standards. As used herein, a "user equipment" or "UE" may not necessarily have a "user" in the sense of a human user who owns and/or operates the relevant device. Instead, a UE may represent a device that is intended for sale to, or operation by, a human user but that may not initially be associated with a specific human user.

The wireless device may support device-to-device (D2D) communication, for example by implementing a 3GPP standard for sidelink communication, and may in this case be referred to as a D2D communication device.

As yet another specific example, in an Internet of Things (IOT) scenario, a wireless device may represent a machine or other device that performs monitoring and/or

measurements, and transmits the results of such monitoring and/or measurements to another wireless device and/or a network equipment. The wireless device may in this case be a machine-to-machine (M2M) device, which may in a 3GPP context be referred to as a machine- type communication (MTC) device. As one particular example, the wireless device may be a UE implementing the 3GPP narrow band internet of things (NB-loT) standard. Particular examples of such machines or devices are sensors, metering devices such as power meters, industrial machinery, or home or personal appliances, e.g. refrigerators, televisions, personal wearables such as watches etc. In another scenario, a wireless communication device or user equipment as described herein may be comprised in or otherwise associated with a vehicle and may perform monitoring and/or reporting of the vehicle's operational status or other functions associated with the vehicle.

A wireless device as described above may represent the endpoint of a wireless connection, in which case the device may be referred to as a wireless terminal. Furthermore, a wireless device as described above may be mobile, in which case it may also be referred to as a mobile device or a mobile terminal.

As used herein, "radio network equipment" refers to equipment capable, configured, arranged and/or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with a wireless device and/or with other equipment in the wireless communication network that enable and/or provide wireless access to the wireless device. Examples of radio network equipment include, but are not limited to, access points (APs), in particular radio access points or nodes. Radio network equipment may represent base stations (BSs), such as radio base stations. Particular examples of radio base stations include Node Bs, and evolved Node Bs (eNBs). Base stations may be categorized based on the amount of coverage they provide (or, stated differently, their transmit power level) and may then also be referred to as femto base stations, pico base stations, micro base stations, or macro base stations. "Radio Network equipment" also includes one or more (or all) parts of a distributed radio base station such as centralized digital units and/or remote radio units (RRUs), sometimes referred to as Remote Radio Heads (RRHs). Such remote radio units may or may not be integrated with an antenna as an antenna integrated radio. Parts of a distributed radio base stations may also be referred to as nodes in a distributed antenna system (DAS).

As a particular non-limiting example, a base station may be a relay node or a relay donor node controlling a relay.

Yet further examples of radio network equipment include multi-standard radio (MSR) radio equipment such as MSR BSs, network controllers such as radio network controllers (RNCs) or base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), transmission points, and transmission nodes.

As used herein, the term "radio node" is used generically to refer both to wireless devices and network equipment, as each is respectively described above.

Although various embodiments herein are described with respect to a user equipment, those embodiments are extendable to a wireless device.

The wireless communication system described herein may represent any type of communication, telecommunication, data, cellular, and/or radio network or other type of system. In particular embodiments, the wireless communication system may be configured to operate according to specific standards or other types of predefined rules or procedures. Thus, particular embodiments of the wireless communication system may implement communication standards, such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Long Term Evolution (LTE), and/or other suitable 2G, 3G, 4G, or 5G standards; wireless local area network (WLAN) standards, such as the IEEE 802.1 1 standards; and/or any other appropriate wireless communication standard, such as the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), Bluetooth, and/or ZigBee standards.

Note that the radio network equipment 24 may perform the processing herein by implementing any functional means or units. In particular embodiments, for example, the radio network equipment 24 comprises respective circuits configured to perform the steps shown in any of Figure 7A-7F. The circuits in this regard may comprise circuits dedicated to performing certain functional processing and/or one or more microprocessors in conjunction with memory. In embodiments that employ memory, which may comprise one or several types of memory such as read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory, cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, etc., the memory stores program code that, when executed by the one or more microprocessors, carries out the techniques described herein. That is, in some embodiments memory of the radio network equipment 24 contains instructions executable by the processing circuitry radio network equipment 24 is configured to carry out the processing herein.

Figure 9A illustrates additional details of radio network equipment 24 in accordance with one or more embodiments. As shown, the radio network equipment 24 includes processing circuitry 300 and communication circuitry 310. The communication circuitry 310 is configured to communicate with one or more other nodes, e.g., the user equipment 18 and/or other radio network equipment. The communication circuitry 310 in this regard may be configured to transmit and/or receive via one or more antennas that are external or internal to the radio network equipment 24. The processing circuitry 300 may be configured to perform processing described above, such as by executing instructions stored in memory 320. The processing circuitry 300 in this regard may implement certain functional means or units.

Figure 9B in this regard illustrates radio network equipment 24 in accordance with one or more other embodiments. As shown, the radio network equipment 24 may include a transmitting unit or module 330 and a receiving unit or module 340, and may optionally include a

determining unit or module 350. These modules or units may be implemented by the processing circuitry 300 of Figure 9A.

According to embodiments, the transmitting unit or module 330 may be for transmitting a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration of a first type. The SPS configuration may specify a set of periodic resources for communication. The receiving unit or module 340 may be for, responsive to the transmitting module 330 transmitting the command, receiving a message that includes a first field whose value confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration of the first type. The first field is statically defined as or is configurable as being for confirming commanded activation or release of the first type of SPS configuration. The message is statically defined as or is configurable as further including a second field for confirming commanded activation or release of a second type of SPS configuration different than the first type.

According to other embodiments, the transmitting unit or module 330 may be for transmitting a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration. The SPS configuration may specify a set of periodic resources for communication. The receiving unit or module 340 may be for, responsive to the transmitting unit or module 330 transmitting the command, receiving a MAC protocol data unit (PDU) comprising a MAC control element (CE) as well as a MAC PDU subheader corresponding to the MAC CE. The MAC CE confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration according to one of multiple different possible MAC CE formats defined for confirming activation or release of an SPS configuration. The MAC PDU subheader has a logical channel identity (LCID) that is generic as to which of the multiple different possible MAC CE formats.

According to yet other embodiments, the transmitting unit or module 330 may be for transmitting to user equipment a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration. The SPS configuration specifies a set of periodic resources for

communication. The receiving unit or module 340 may be for, responsive to the transmitting unit or module 330 transmitting the command, receiving from the user equipment a message that confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration. Each of one or more bits or octets of the message is configurable by the radio network equipment for confirming activation or release of any of multiple different types of SPS configurations or multiple different SPS configuration indices.

According to yet other embodiments, the transmitting unit or module 330 may be for transmitting to a user equipment signaling indicating both an index of a first type and an index of a second type that are to each identify the same semi-persistent scheduling (SPS)

configuration, wherein the SPS configuration specifies a set of periodic resources for communication. The transmitting unit or module 330 may also be for transmitting to the user equipment a command to activate or release the SPS configuration as identified in the command using the index of the first type. The receiving unit or module 340 may be for receiving from the user equipment a message that indicates whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration as identified in the message using the index of the second type.

According to yet other embodiments, the transmitting unit or module 330 may be for transmitting to a user equipment a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for

communication. The determining unit or module 350 may be for determining, from an index of the SPS configuration that is agnostic as to a type of the SPS configuration, which bit of a message is to indicate whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration. The receiving unit or module 340 may be for receiving from the user equipment the message with the determined bit indicating whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration.

According to yet other embodiments, the transmitting unit or module 330 may be for transmitting to a user equipment signaling indicating an index i that is to identify a semi- persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, wherein the SPS configuration specifies a set of periodic resources for communication. The transmitting unit or module 330 may also be for transmitting to the user equipment a command to activate or release the SPS configuration. The receiving unit or module 340 may be for receiving from the user equipment a message whose i'th bit indicates whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration.

Additional details of the radio network equipment 24 according to some embodiments are shown in relation to Figure 9C. As shown in Figure 9C, the example radio network equipment 24 includes an antenna 440, radio circuitry (e.g. radio front-end circuitry) 410, processing circuitry 420, and the radio network equipment 24 may also include a memory 430. The memory 430 may be separate from the processing circuitry 420 or an integral part of processing circuitry 420. Antenna 440 may include one or more antennas or antenna arrays, and is configured to send and/or receive wireless signals, and is connected to radio circuitry (e.g. radio front-end circuitry) 410. In certain alternative embodiments, radio network equipment 24 may not include antenna 440, and antenna 440 may instead be separate from radio network equipment 24 and be connectable to radio network equipment 24 through an interface or port.

The radio circuitry (e.g. radio front-end circuitry) 410 may comprise various filters and amplifiers, is connected to antenna 440 and processing circuitry 420, and is configured to condition signals communicated between antenna 440 and processing circuitry 420. In certain alternative embodiments, radio network equipment 24 may not include radio circuitry (e.g. radio front-end circuitry) 410, and processing circuitry 420 may instead be connected to antenna 440 without front-end circuitry 410.

Processing circuitry 420 may include one or more of radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry, baseband processing circuitry, and application processing circuitry. In some embodiments, the RF transceiver circuitry 421 , baseband processing circuitry 422, and application processing circuitry 423 may be on separate chipsets. In alternative embodiments, part or all of the baseband processing circuitry 422 and application processing circuitry 423 may be combined into one chipset, and the RF transceiver circuitry 421 may be on a separate chipset. In still alternative embodiments, part or all of the RF transceiver circuitry 421 and baseband processing circuitry 422 may be on the same chipset, and the application processing circuitry 423 may be on a separate chipset. In yet other alternative embodiments, part or all of the RF transceiver circuitry 421 , baseband processing circuitry 422, and application processing circuitry 423 may be combined in the same chipset. Processing circuitry 420 may include, for example, one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more microprocessors, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and/or one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

The radio network equipment 24 may include a power source 450. The power source 450 may be a battery or other power supply circuitry, as well as power management circuitry. The power supply circuitry may receive power from an external source. A battery, other power supply circuitry, and/or power management circuitry are connected to radio circuitry (e.g. radio front-end circuitry) 410, processing circuitry 420, and/or memory 430. The power source 450, battery, power supply circuitry, and/or power management circuitry are configured to supply radio network equipment 24, including processing circuitry 420, with power for performing the functionality described herein.

A user equipment 18 may perform the processing herein by implementing any functional means or units. In particular embodiments, for example, the user equipment 18 comprises respective circuits configured to perform the steps shown in any of Figures 8A-8F. The circuits in this regard may comprise circuits dedicated to performing certain functional processing and/or one or more microprocessors in conjunction with memory. In embodiments that employ memory, which may comprise one or several types of memory such as read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory, cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, etc., the memory stores program code that, when executed by the one or more microprocessors, carries out the techniques described herein. That is, in some embodiments memory of the user equipment 18 contains instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the user equipment 18 is configured to carry out the processing herein.

Figure 10A illustrates additional details of a user equipment 18 in accordance with one or more embodiments. As shown, the user equipment 18 includes processing circuitry 500 and communication circuitry 510 (e.g., one or more radio circuits). The communication circuitry 510 may be configured to transmit via one or more antennas that are external or internal to the user equipment 18.

Although not shown, the user equipment 18 in some embodiments may further comprise an input interface connected to the processing circuitry 500 and configured to allow input of information into the UE 18 to be processed by the processing circuitry 500, and an output interface connected to the processing circuitry 500 and configured to output information from the UE 18 that has been processed by the processing circuitry 500. Yet further, the user equipment 18 may comprises a battery connected to the processing circuitry 500 and configured to supply power to the UE 18.

In any event, the processing circuitry 500 in Figure 10A is configured to perform processing described above, such as by executing instructions stored in memory 520. The processing circuitry 500 in this regard may implement certain functional means or units.

Figure 10B in this regard illustrates additional details of a user equipment 18 in accordance with one or more other embodiments. As shown, the user equipment 18 may include a receiving unit or module 530 and a transmitting unit or module 540. These units or modules may be implemented by the processing circuitry 500 in Figure 10A.

The receiving unit or module 530 may be for receiving a command 32 to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration 26 of a first type, the SPS

configuration 26 specifying a set of periodic resources 30 for communication. The transmitting unit or module 540 may be for, responsive to the receiving module 530 receiving the command 32, transmitting a message that includes a first field whose value confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration 26 of the first type, wherein the first field is statically defined as or is configurable as being for confirming commanded activation or release of the first type of SPS configuration 26, and wherein the message is statically defined as or is configurable as further including a second field for confirming commanded activation or release of a second type of SPS configuration different than the first type.

According to other embodiments, the receiving unit or module 530 may be for receiving from radio network equipment a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication. The transmitting unit or module 540 may be for, responsive to the receiving module 530 receiving the command, transmitting to the radio network equipment a message that confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration, wherein each of one or more bits or octets of the message is configurable by the radio network equipment for confirming activation or release of any of multiple different types of SPS configurations or multiple different SPS configuration indices.

According to other embodiments, the receiving unit or module 530 may be for receiving from radio network equipment signaling indicating both an index of a first type and an index of a second type that are to each identify the same semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, wherein the SPS configuration specifies a set of periodic resources for communication. The receiving unit or module 530 may also be for receiving from the radio network equipment a command to activate or release the SPS configuration as identified in the command using the index of the first type. The transmitting unit or module 540 may be for transmitting to the radio network node a message that indicates whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration as identified in the message using the index of the second type.

According to other embodiments, the receiving unit or module 530 may be for receiving from radio network equipment a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication. The determining unit or module 550 may be for determining, from an index of the SPS configuration that is agnostic as to a type of the SPS configuration, which bit of a message is to indicate whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration. The transmitting unit or module 540 may be for transmitting the message to the radio network equipment with the determined bit indicating whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration.

According to other embodiments, the receiving unit or module 530 may be for receiving from radio network equipment signaling indicating an index i that is to identify a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, wherein the SPS configuration specifies a set of periodic resources for communication. The receiving unit or module 530 may also be for receiving from the radio network equipment a command to activate or release the SPS configuration. The transmitting unit or module 540 may be for transmitting to the radio network equipment a message whose i'th bit indicates whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration.

Figure 10C illustrates additional details of a user equipment 18 in accordance with one or more other embodiments. As shown, the user equipment 18 may include a receiving unit or module 560, a first generating unit or module 570, a second generating unit or module 580, and a transmitting unit or module 590. The receiving unit or module 560 may be for receiving a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication. The first generating unit or module 570 may be for, responsive to the receiving module 560 responsive to receiving the command, generating a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) that confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration according to one of multiple different possible MAC CE formats defined for confirming activation or release of an SPS configuration. The second generating unit or module 580 may be for generating a MAC protocol data unit (PDU) that includes the MAC CE as well as a MAC PDU subheader corresponding to the MAC CE, wherein the MAC PDU subheader has a logical channel identity (LCID) that is generic as to which of the multiple different possible MAC CE formats the MAC CE is generated. The transmitting unit or module 590 may be for transmitting the MAC PDU. These units or modules may be implemented by the processing circuitry 500 in Figure 10A.

Additional details of a user equipment 18 according to some embodiments are shown in relation to Figure 10D. As shown in 10D, the example user equipment 18 includes an antenna 640, radio circuitry (e.g. radio front-end circuitry) 610, processing circuitry 620, and the user equipment 14 may also include a memory 630. The memory 630 may be separate from the processing circuitry 620 or an integral part of processing circuitry 620. Antenna 640 may include one or more antennas or antenna arrays, and is configured to send and/or receive wireless signals, and is connected to radio circuitry (e.g. radio front-end circuitry) 610. In certain alternative embodiments, user equipment 18 may not include antenna6, and antenna 640 may instead be separate from user equipment 18 and be connectable to user equipment 18through an interface or port.

The radio circuitry (e.g. radio front-end circuitry) 610 may comprise various filters and amplifiers, is connected to antenna 640 and processing circuitry 620, and is configured to condition signals communicated between antenna 640 and processing circuitry 620. In certain alternative embodiments, user equipment 18 may not include radio circuitry (e.g. radio front-end circuitry) 610, and processing circuitry 620 may instead be connected to antenna 640 without front-end circuitry 610.

Processing circuitry 620 may include one or more of radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry, baseband processing circuitry, and application processing circuitry. In some embodiments, the RF transceiver circuitry 621 , baseband processing circuitry 622, and application processing circuitry 623 may be on separate chipsets. In alternative embodiments, part or all of the baseband processing circuitry 622 and application processing circuitry 623 may be combined into one chipset, and the RF transceiver circuitry 621 may be on a separate chipset. In still alternative embodiments, part or all of the RF transceiver circuitry 621 and baseband processing circuitry 622 may be on the same chipset, and the application processing circuitry 623 may be on a separate chipset. In yet other alternative embodiments, part or all of the RF transceiver circuitry 621 , baseband processing circuitry 622, and application processing circuitry 623 may be combined in the same chipset. Processing circuitry 620 may include, for example, one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more microprocessors, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and/or one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

The user equipment 18 may include a power source 650. The power source 650 may be a battery or other power supply circuitry, as well as power management circuitry. The power supply circuitry may receive power from an external source. A battery, other power supply circuitry, and/or power management circuitry are connected to radio circuitry (e.g. radio front- end circuitry) 610, processing circuitry 620, and/or memory 630. The power source 650, battery, power supply circuitry, and/or power management circuitry are configured to supply user equipment 18, including processing circuitry 620, with power for performing the

functionality described herein.

Alternative embodiments of the user equipment 18 may include additional components beyond those shown in the figures that may be responsible for providing certain aspects of the UE's functionality, including any of the functionality described herein and/or any functionality necessary to support the solution described above. As just one example, user equipment 18 may include input interfaces, devices and circuits, and output interfaces, devices and circuits. Input interfaces, devices, and circuits are configured to allow input of information into user equipment 18, and are connected to processing circuitry to allow processing circuitry to process the input information. For example, input interfaces, devices, and circuits may include a microphone, a proximity or other sensor, keys/buttons, a touch display, one or more cameras, a USB port, or other input elements. Output interfaces, devices, and circuits are configured to allow output of information from user equipment 18, and are connected to processing circuitry to allow processing circuitry to output information from user equipment 18. For example, output interfaces, devices, or circuits may include a speaker, a display, vibrating circuitry, a USB port, a headphone interface, or other output elements. Using one or more input and output interfaces, devices, and circuits, user equipment 18 may communicate with end users and/or the wireless network, and allow them to benefit from the functionality described herein.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that embodiments herein further include corresponding computer programs.

A computer program comprises instructions which, when executed on at least one processor of a user equipment 18, cause the user equipment 18 to carry out any of the respective processing described above. A computer program in this regard may comprise one or more code modules corresponding to the means or units described above.

Embodiments further include a carrier containing such a computer program. This carrier may comprise one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or computer readable storage medium.

In other embodiments, a computer program comprises instructions which, when executed on at least one processor of radio network equipment 24, cause the radio network equipment 24 to carry out any of the respective processing described above. A computer program in this regard may comprise one or more code modules corresponding to the means or units described above.

Embodiments further include a carrier containing such a computer program. This carrier may comprise one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or computer readable storage medium.

The present disclosure thereby includes, among other things, the following enumerated embodiments.

Embodiment 1. A method performed by a user equipment, the method comprising: receiving a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration of a first type, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication; and responsive to receiving the command, transmitting a message that includes a first field whose value confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration of the first type, wherein the first field is statically defined as or is configurable as being for confirming commanded activation or release of the first type of SPS configuration, and wherein the message is statically defined as or is configurable as further including a second field for confirming commanded activation or release of a second type of SPS configuration different than the first type.

Embodiment 2. The method of embodiment 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second types is a non-V2X (Vehicle-to-everything) SPS configuration.

Embodiment 3. The method of any of embodiments 1-2, wherein at least one of the first and second types is a V2X SPS configuration. Embodiment 4. The method of any of embodiments 1-3, wherein at least one of: the first field is statically defined as being for confirming commanded activation or release of the first type of SPS configuration; and the message is statically defined as further including the second field for confirming commanded activation or release of the second type of SPS configuration.

Embodiment 5. The method of any of embodiments 1-4, wherein at least one of: the first field is configurable as being for confirming commanded activation or release of the first type of SPS configuration; and the message is configurable as further including the second field for confirming commanded activation or release of the second type of SPS configuration.

Embodiment 6. The method of any of embodiments 1-5, wherein the command is received from radio network equipment and wherein the message is transmitted to the radio network equipment, wherein at least one of: the first field is configurable by the radio network equipment as being for confirming commanded activation or release of the first type of SPS configuration; and the message is configurable by the radio network equipment as further including the second field for confirming commanded activation or release of the second type of SPS configuration.

Embodiment 7. The method of any of embodiments 1-6, wherein the command is received from radio network equipment and wherein the message is transmitted to the radio network equipment, wherein at least one of: the type of SPS configuration for which the first field confirms commanded activation or release is configurable by the radio network equipment; and the type of SPS configuration for which the second field confirms commanded activation or release is configurable by the radio network equipment.

Embodiment 8. The method of any of embodiments 1-7, wherein the first field is statically defined as or is configurable as being for confirming commanded activation or release of an SPS configuration that is of the first type and that has a certain index among multiple different possible indices defined for SPS configurations of the first type, and wherein the message is statically defined as or is configurable as further including the second field for confirming commanded activation or release of an SPS configuration that is of the second type and that has a certain index among multiple different possible indices defined for SPS configurations of the second type.

Embodiment 9. The method of embodiment 8, wherein at least one of: the certain index of an SPS configuration for which the first field confirms commanded activation or release is configurable; and the certain index of an SPS configuration for which the second field confirms commanded activation or release is configurable.

Embodiment 10. The method of any of embodiments 8-9, wherein the command is received from radio network equipment and wherein the message is transmitted to the radio network equipment, and wherein at least one of: the certain index of an SPS configuration for which the first field confirms commanded activation or release is configurable by the radio network equipment; and the certain index of an SPS configuration for which the second field confirms commanded activation or release is configurable by the radio network equipment.

Embodiment 1 1. The method of any of embodiments 1-10, wherein the first field comprises one of multiple bit fields in a first octet of the message, with different bit fields in the first octet being for confirming commanded activation or release of different SPS configurations of the first type, and wherein the second field comprises one of multiple bit fields in a second octet of the message different than the first octet, with different bit fields in the second octet being for confirming commanded activation or release of different SPS configurations of the second type.

Embodiment 12. The method of embodiment 11 , wherein at least one of: the type of

SPS configuration for which the bit fields in the first octet confirm commanded activation or release is configurable; and the type of SPS configuration for which the bit fields in the second octet confirm commanded activation or release is configurable.

Embodiment 13. The method of any of embodiments 1 1-12, wherein the command is received from radio network equipment and wherein the message is transmitted to the radio network equipment, and wherein at least one of: the type of SPS configuration for which the bit fields in the first octet confirm commanded activation or release is configurable by the radio network equipment; and the type of SPS configuration for which the bit fields in the second octet confirm commanded activation or release is configurable by the radio network equipment.

Embodiment 14. The method of any of embodiments 1-13, wherein at least one of the first and second types is a Licensed Assisted Access (LAA) SPS configuration.

Embodiment 15. The method of any of embodiments 1-14, wherein at least one of the first and second fields is configurable on a user equipment specific basis.

Embodiment 16. The method of any of embodiments 1-15, further comprising receiving dedicated signaling based on which the user equipment determines for which of multiple different types of SPS configurations or multiple different SPS configuration indices the first field or the second field is configured for confirming activation or release.

Embodiment 17. The method of embodiment 16, wherein the dedicated signaling comprises downlink control information.

Embodiment 18. The method of any of embodiments 1-17, further comprising identifying the first field as being the field of the message with which to confirm the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration, by mapping an SPS index included in the command to one of multiple different field indices that index different fields of the message.

Embodiment 19. The method of embodiment 18, wherein the command comprises downlink control information and indicates the SPS index with a cyclic shift demodulation reference signal field.

Embodiment 20. The method of any of embodiments 18-19, wherein a range of possible values for the SPS index is different than a range of possible values of the different field indices. Embodiment 21. The method of any of embodiments 18-20, wherein different possible values for the SPS index map to field indices for confirming commanded activation or release of SPS configurations of different types.

Embodiment 22. The method of any of embodiments 1-14, wherein at least one of the first and second fields is configurable on a cell specific basis.

Embodiment 23. The method of any of embodiments 1-14 and 17, further comprising receiving shared signaling indicating for which of multiple different types of SPS configurations or multiple different SPS configuration indices the first field or the second field is configured for confirming activation or release in accordance with configuration by radio network equipment.

Embodiment 24. The method of any of embodiments 1-23, further comprising determining how many octets are included in the message as a function of how many SPS configurations the user equipment is configured with.

Embodiment 25. The method of any of embodiments 1-24, further comprising determining how many octets are included in the message as being ceiling(N/8), where N is the number of SPS configurations the user equipment is configured with.

Embodiment 26. The method of any of embodiments 1-25, wherein the message is a control message that comprises a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) identified by a MAC protocol data unit (PDU) subheader.

Embodiment 27. The method of embodiment 26, wherein the field in the MAC PDU subheader is an L field or an F field.

Embodiment 28. The method of any of embodiments 1-25, wherein the message is a control message that comprises a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE).

Embodiment 29. The method of embodiment 28, wherein the MAC CE is identified by a MAC protocol data unit (PDU) subheader with a logical channel identity (LCID) that is generic as to a type or index of one or more SPS configurations whose activation or release is confirmed.

Embodiment 30. The method of any of embodiments 28-29, wherein the MAC CE is identified by a MAC protocol data unit (PDU) subheader with a logical channel identity (LCID) equal to 10101.

Embodiment 31. The method of any of embodiments 1-30, wherein the first and second fields comprise first and second bit fields of the message.

Embodiment 32. A method performed by a user equipment, the method comprising: receiving a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication; responsive to receiving the command, generating a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) that confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration according to one of multiple different possible MAC CE formats defined for confirming activation or release of an SPS configuration; generating a MAC protocol data unit (PDU) that includes the MAC CE as well as a MAC PDU subheader corresponding to the MAC CE, wherein the MAC PDU subheader has a logical channel identity (LCID) that is generic as to which of the multiple different possible MAC CE formats the MAC CE is generated; and transmitting the MAC PDU.

Embodiment 33. The method of embodiment 32, wherein the LCID is equal to 10101.

Embodiment 34. The method of any of embodiments 32-33, further comprising determining which of the multiple different possible MAC CE formats to generate the MAC CE according to, based on with which or how many types of SPS configurations the user equipment is configured.

Embodiment 35. A method performed by a user equipment, the method comprising: receiving from radio network equipment a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication; and responsive to receiving the command, transmitting to the radio network equipment a message that confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration, wherein each of one or more bits or octets of the message is configurable by the radio network equipment for confirming activation or release of any of multiple different types of SPS configurations or multiple different SPS configuration indices.

Embodiment 36. The method of embodiment 35, wherein each of the one or more bits or octets is configurable on a user equipment specific basis.

Embodiment 37. The method of any of embodiments 35-36, further comprising receiving dedicated signaling indicating for which of the multiple different types of SPS configurations or multiple different SPS configuration indices each of the one or more bits or octets is configured by the radio network equipment.

Embodiment 38. The method of embodiment 35, wherein each of the one or more bits or octets is configurable on a cell specific basis.

Embodiment 39. The method of any of embodiments 35 and 38, further comprising receiving shared signaling indicating for which of the multiple different types of SPS

configurations or multiple different SPS configuration indices each of the one or more bits or octets is configured by the radio network equipment.

Embodiment 40. A method performed by radio network equipment, the method comprising: transmitting a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration of a first type, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication; and responsive to transmitting the command, receiving a message that includes a first field whose value confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration of the first type, wherein the first field is statically defined as or is configurable as being for confirming commanded activation or release of the first type of SPS configuration, and wherein the message is statically defined as or is configurable as further including a second field for confirming commanded activation or release of a second type of SPS configuration different than the first type. Embodiment 41. The method of embodiment 40, wherein at least one of the first and second types is a non-V2X (Vehicle-to-everything) SPS configuration.

Embodiment 42. The method of any of embodiments 40-41 , wherein at least one of the first and second types is a V2X SPS configuration.

Embodiment 43. The method of any of embodiments 40-42, wherein at least one of: the first field is statically defined as being for confirming commanded activation or release of the first type of SPS configuration; and the message is statically defined as further including the second field for confirming commanded activation or release of the second type of SPS configuration.

Embodiment 44. The method of any of embodiments 40-43, wherein at least one of: the first field is configurable as being for confirming commanded activation or release of the first type of SPS configuration; and the message is configurable as further including the second field for confirming commanded activation or release of the second type of SPS configuration.

Embodiment 45. The method of any of embodiments 40-44, wherein the command is transmitted to a user equipment and wherein the message is received from the user equipment, wherein at least one of: the first field is configurable by the radio network equipment as being for confirming commanded activation or release of the first type of SPS configuration; and the message is configurable by the radio network equipment as further including the second field for confirming commanded activation or release of the second type of SPS configuration.

Embodiment 46. The method of any of embodiments 40-45, wherein the command is transmitted to user equipment and wherein the message is received from the user equipment, wherein at least one of: the type of SPS configuration for which the first field confirms commanded activation or release is configurable by the radio network equipment; and the type of SPS configuration for which the second field confirms commanded activation or release is configurable by the radio network equipment.

Embodiment 47. The method of any of embodiments 40-46, wherein the first field is statically defined as or is configurable as being for confirming commanded activation or release of an SPS configuration that is of the first type and that has a certain index among multiple different possible indices defined for SPS configurations of the first type, and wherein the message is statically defined as or is configurable as further including the second field for confirming commanded activation or release of an SPS configuration that is of the second type and that has a certain index among multiple different possible indices defined for SPS configurations of the second type.

Embodiment 48. The method of embodiment 47, wherein at least one of: the certain index of an SPS configuration for which the first field confirms commanded activation or release is configurable; and the certain index of an SPS configuration for which the second field confirms commanded activation or release is configurable.

Embodiment 49. The method of any of embodiments 47-48, wherein the command is transmitted to user equipment and wherein the message is received from the user equipment, and wherein at least one of: the certain index of an SPS configuration for which the first field confirms commanded activation or release is configurable by the radio network equipment; and the certain index of an SPS configuration for which the second field confirms commanded activation or release is configurable by the radio network equipment.

Embodiment 50. The method of any of embodiments 40-49, wherein the first field comprises one of multiple bit fields in a first octet of the message, with different bit fields in the first octet being for confirming commanded activation or release of different SPS configurations of the first type, and wherein the second field comprises one of multiple bit fields in a second octet of the message different than the first octet, with different bit fields in the second octet being for confirming commanded activation or release of different SPS configurations of the second type.

Embodiment 51. The method of embodiment 50, wherein at least one of: the type of SPS configuration for which the bit fields in the first octet confirm commanded activation or release is configurable; and the type of SPS configuration for which the bit fields in the second octet confirm commanded activation or release is configurable.

Embodiment 52. The method of any of embodiments 50-51 , wherein the command is transmitted to user equipment and wherein the message is received from user equipment, and wherein at least one of: the type of SPS configuration for which the bit fields in the first octet confirm commanded activation or release is configurable by the radio network equipment; and the type of SPS configuration for which the bit fields in the second octet confirm commanded activation or release is configurable by the radio network equipment.

Embodiment 53. The method of any of embodiments 40-52, wherein at least one of the first and second types is a Licensed Assisted Access (LAA) SPS configuration.

Embodiment 54. The method of any of embodiments 40-53, wherein at least one of the first and second fields is configurable on a user equipment specific basis.

Embodiment 55. The method of any of embodiments 40-54, further comprising transmitting dedicated signaling enabling the user equipment to determine for which of multiple different types of SPS configurations or multiple different SPS configuration indices the first field or the second field is configured for confirming activation or release.

Embodiment 56. The method of embodiment 55, wherein the dedicated signaling comprises downlink control information.

Embodiment 57. The method of any of embodiments 40-56, wherein transmitting the command comprises transmitting, in the command, an SPS index indicating the first field as being the field of the message with which to confirm the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration, the SPS index being mappable to one of multiple different field indices that index different fields of the message. Embodiment 58. The method of embodiment 57, wherein the command comprises downlink control information and indicates the SPS index with a cyclic shift demodulation reference signal field.

Embodiment 59. The method of any of embodiments 57-58, wherein a range of possible values for the SPS index is different than a range of possible values of the different field indices.

Embodiment 60. The method of any of embodiments 57-59, wherein different possible values for the SPS index map to field indices for confirming commanded activation or release of SPS configurations of different types.

Embodiment 61. The method of any of embodiments 40-53, wherein at least one of the first and second fields is configurable on a cell specific basis.

Embodiment 62. The method of any of embodiments 40-53 and 56, further comprising transmitting shared signaling indicating for which of multiple different types of SPS

configurations or multiple different SPS configuration indices the first field or the second field is configured for confirming activation or release in accordance with configuration by radio network equipment.

Embodiment 63. The method of any of embodiments 40-62, wherein the message comprises a number of octets as a function of how many SPS configurations the user equipment is configured with.

Embodiment 64. The method of any of embodiments 40-63, wherein the message comprises a number of octets less than or equal to ceiling(N/8), where N is the number of SPS configurations the user equipment is configured with.

Embodiment 65. The method of any of embodiments 40-64, wherein the message is a control message that comprises a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) identified by a MAC protocol data unit (PDU) subheader, and further comprising determining how many octets or bits are included in the message based on a field in the MAC PDU subheader.

Embodiment 66. The method of embodiment 65, wherein the field in the MAC PDU subheader is an L field or an F field.

Embodiment 67. The method of any of embodiments 40-64, wherein the message is a control message that comprises a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE).

Embodiment 68. The method of embodiment 67, wherein the MAC CE is identified by a

MAC protocol data unit (PDU) subheader with a logical channel identity (LCID) that is generic as to a type or index of one or more SPS configurations whose activation or release is confirmed.

Embodiment 69. The method of any of embodiments 67-68, wherein the MAC CE is identified by a MAC protocol data unit (PDU) subheader with a logical channel identity (LCID) equal to 10101.

Embodiment 70. The method of any of embodiments 40-69, wherein the first and second fields comprise first and second bit fields of the message. Embodiment 71. A method performed by radio network equipment, the method comprising: transmitting a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication; responsive to transmitting the command, receiving a MAC protocol data unit (PDU) comprising a MAC control element (CE) as well as a MAC PDU subheader corresponding to the MAC CE, wherein the MAC CE confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration according to one of multiple different possible MAC CE formats defined for confirming activation or release of an SPS configuration, and wherein the MAC PDU subheader has a logical channel identity (LCID) that is generic as to which of the multiple different possible MAC CE formats.

Embodiment 72. The method of embodiment 71 , wherein the LCID is equal to 10101.

Embodiment 73. A method performed by radio network equipment, the method comprising: transmitting to user equipment a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication; and responsive to transmitting the command, receiving from the user equipment a message that confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS

configuration, wherein each of one or more bits or octets of the message is configurable by the radio network equipment for confirming activation or release of any of multiple different types of SPS configurations or multiple different SPS configuration indices.

Embodiment 74. The method of embodiment 73, wherein each of the one or more bits or octets is configurable on a user equipment specific basis.

Embodiment 75. The method of any of embodiments 73-74, further comprising transmitting dedicated signaling indicating for which of the multiple different types of SPS configurations or multiple different SPS configuration indices each of the one or more bits or octets is configured by the radio network equipment.

Embodiment 76. The method of embodiment 73, wherein each of the one or more bits or octets is configurable on a cell specific basis.

Embodiment 77. The method of any of embodiments 73 and 76, further comprising transmitting shared signaling indicating for which of the multiple different types of SPS configurations or multiple different SPS configuration indices each of the one or more bits or octets is configured by the radio network equipment.

Embodiment 78. A user equipment comprising: a processor and a memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the processor whereby the device is operative to: receive a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration of a first type, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication; and responsive to receiving the command, transmit a message that includes a first field whose value confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration of the first type, wherein the first field is statically defined as or is configurable as being for confirming commanded activation or release of the first type of SPS configuration, and wherein the message is statically defined as or is configurable as further including a second field for confirming commanded activation or release of a second type of SPS configuration different than the first type.

Embodiment 79. The user equipment of embodiment 78, configured to perform the method of any of embodiments 2-31.

Embodiment 80. A user equipment configured to: receive a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration of a first type, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication; and responsive to receiving the command, transmit a message that includes a first field whose value confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration of the first type, wherein the first field is statically defined as or is configurable as being for confirming commanded activation or release of the first type of SPS configuration, and wherein the message is statically defined as or is

configurable as further including a second field for confirming commanded activation or release of a second type of SPS configuration different than the first type.

Embodiment 81. The user equipment of embodiment 80, configured to perform the method of any one of embodiments 2-31.

Embodiment 82. A user equipment comprising: a receiving module configured to receive a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration of a first type, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication; and a transmitting module configured to, responsive to the receiving module receiving the command, transmit a message that includes a first field whose value confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration of the first type, wherein the first field is statically defined as or is configurable as being for confirming commanded activation or release of the first type of SPS configuration, and wherein the message is statically defined as or is configurable as further including a second field for confirming commanded activation or release of a second type of SPS configuration different than the first type.

Embodiment 83. The user equipment of embodiment 82, configured to perform the method of any one of embodiments 2-31.

Embodiment 84. A user equipment comprising: a processor and a memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the processor whereby the device is operative to: receive a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication; responsive to receiving the command, generate a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) that confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration according to one of multiple different possible MAC CE formats defined for confirming activation or release of an SPS configuration; generate a MAC protocol data unit (PDU) that includes the MAC CE as well as a MAC PDU subheader corresponding to the MAC CE, wherein the MAC PDU subheader has a logical channel identity (LCID) that is generic as to which of the multiple different possible MAC CE formats the MAC CE is generated; and transmit the MAC PDU. Embodiment 85. The user equipment of embodiment 84, configured to perform the method of any of embodiments 33-34.

Embodiment 86. A user equipment configured to: receive a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication; responsive to receiving the command, generate a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) that confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration according to one of multiple different possible MAC CE formats defined for confirming activation or release of an SPS configuration; generate a MAC protocol data unit (PDU) that includes the MAC CE as well as a MAC PDU subheader corresponding to the MAC CE, wherein the MAC PDU subheader has a logical channel identity (LCID) that is generic as to which of the multiple different possible MAC CE formats the MAC CE is generated; and transmit the MAC PDU.

Embodiment 87. The user equipment of embodiment 86, configured to perform the method of any one of embodiments 33-34.

Embodiment 88. A user equipment comprising: a receiving module configured to receive a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication; a first generating module configured to, responsive to the receiving module receiving the command, generate a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) that confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration according to one of multiple different possible MAC CE formats defined for confirming activation or release of an SPS configuration; a second generating module configured to generate a MAC protocol data unit (PDU) that includes the MAC CE as well as a MAC PDU subheader corresponding to the MAC CE, wherein the MAC PDU subheader has a logical channel identity (LCID) that is generic as to which of the multiple different possible MAC CE formats the MAC CE is generated; and a transmitting module configured to transmit the MAC PDU.

Embodiment 89. The user equipment of embodiment 88, configured to perform the method of any one of embodiments 33-34.

Embodiment 90. A user equipment comprising: a processor and a memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the processor whereby the device is operative to: receive from radio network equipment a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication; and responsive to receiving the command, transmit to the radio network equipment a message that confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration, wherein each of one or more bits or octets of the message is configurable by the radio network equipment for confirming activation or release of any of multiple different types of SPS configurations or multiple different SPS configuration indices. Embodiment 91. The user equipment of embodiment 90, configured to perform the method of any of embodiments 36-39.

Embodiment 92. A user equipment configured to: receive from radio network equipment a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication; and responsive to receiving the command, transmit to the radio network equipment a message that confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration, wherein each of one or more bits or octets of the message is configurable by the radio network equipment for confirming activation or release of any of multiple different types of SPS configurations or multiple different SPS configuration indices.

Embodiment 93. The user equipment of embodiment 92, configured to perform the method of any one of embodiments 36-39.

Embodiment 94. A user equipment comprising: a receiving module configured to receive from radio network equipment a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication; and a transmitting module configured to, responsive to the receiving module receiving the command, transmit to the radio network equipment a message that confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration, wherein each of one or more bits or octets of the message is configurable by the radio network equipment for confirming activation or release of any of multiple different types of SPS configurations or multiple different SPS configuration indices.

Embodiment 95. The user equipment of embodiment 94, configured to perform the method of any one of embodiments 36-39.

Embodiment 96. A computer program, comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor of a user equipment, cause the user equipment to carry out the method according to any one of embodiments 1-39.

Embodiment 97. Radio network equipment comprising: a processor and a memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the processor whereby the device is operative to: transmit a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration of a first type, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication; and responsive to transmitting the command, receive a message that includes a first field whose value confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration of the first type, wherein the first field is statically defined as or is configurable as being for confirming commanded activation or release of the first type of SPS configuration, and wherein the message is statically defined as or is configurable as further including a second field for confirming commanded activation or release of a second type of SPS configuration different than the first type.

Embodiment 98. The radio network equipment of embodiment 97, configured to perform the method of any of embodiments 41-69.

Embodiment 99. Radio network equipment configured to: transmit a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration of a first type, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication; and responsive to transmitting the command, receive a message that includes a first field whose value confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration of the first type, wherein the first field is statically defined as or is configurable as being for confirming commanded activation or release of the first type of SPS configuration, and wherein the message is statically defined as or is configurable as further including a second field for confirming commanded activation or release of a second type of SPS configuration different than the first type.

Embodiment 100. The radio network equipment of embodiment 99, configured to perform the method of any one of embodiments 41-69.

Embodiment 101. Radio network equipment comprising: a transmitting module configured to transmit a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration of a first type, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication; and a receiving module configured to, responsive to the transmitting module transmitting the command, receive a message that includes a first field whose value confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration of the first type, wherein the first field is statically defined as or is configurable as being for confirming commanded activation or release of the first type of SPS configuration, and wherein the message is statically defined as or is configurable as further including a second field for confirming commanded activation or release of a second type of SPS configuration different than the first type.

Embodiment 102. The radio network equipment of embodiment 101 , configured to perform the method of any one of embodiments 41-69.

Embodiment 103. Radio network equipment comprising: a processor and a memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the processor whereby the device is operative to: transmit a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication; responsive to transmitting the command, receive a MAC protocol data unit (PDU) comprising a MAC control element (CE) as well as a MAC PDU subheader corresponding to the MAC CE, wherein the MAC CE confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration according to one of multiple different possible MAC CE formats defined for confirming activation or release of an SPS configuration, and wherein the MAC PDU subheader has a logical channel identity (LCID) that is generic as to which of the multiple different possible MAC CE formats.

Embodiment 104. The radio network equipment of embodiment 103, configured to perform the method of embodiment 72.

Embodiment 105. Radio network equipment configured to: transmit a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication; responsive to transmitting the command, receive a MAC protocol data unit (PDU) comprising a MAC control element (CE) as well as a MAC PDU subheader corresponding to the MAC CE, wherein the MAC CE confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration according to one of multiple different possible MAC CE formats defined for confirming activation or release of an SPS configuration, and wherein the MAC PDU subheader has a logical channel identity (LCID) that is generic as to which of the multiple different possible MAC CE formats.

Embodiment 106. The radio network equipment of embodiment 105, configured to perform the method of embodiment 72.

Embodiment 107. Radio network equipment comprising: a transmitting module configured to transmit a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication; a receiving module configured to, responsive to the transmitting module transmitting the command, receive a MAC protocol data unit (PDU) comprising a MAC control element (CE) as well as a MAC PDU subheader corresponding to the MAC CE, wherein the MAC CE confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration according to one of multiple different possible MAC CE formats defined for confirming activation or release of an SPS configuration, and wherein the MAC PDU subheader has a logical channel identity (LCID) that is generic as to which of the multiple different possible MAC CE formats.

Embodiment 108. The radio network equipment of embodiment 107, configured to perform the method of embodiment 72.

Embodiment 109. Radio network equipment comprising: a processor and a memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the processor whereby the device is operative to: transmit to user equipment a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for

communication; and responsive to transmitting the command, receive from the user equipment a message that confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration, wherein each of one or more bits or octets of the message is configurable by the radio network equipment for confirming activation or release of any of multiple different types of SPS configurations or multiple different SPS configuration indices.

Embodiment 1 10. The radio network equipment of embodiment 109, configured to perform the method of any one of embodiments 74-77.

Embodiment 1 11. Radio network equipment configured to: transmit to user equipment a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication; and responsive to transmitting the command, receive from the user equipment a message that confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration, wherein each of one or more bits or octets of the message is configurable by the radio network equipment for confirming activation or release of any of multiple different types of SPS configurations or multiple different SPS configuration indices.

Embodiment 1 12. The radio network equipment of embodiment 111 , configured to perform the method of any one of embodiments 74-77.

Embodiment 1 13. Radio network equipment comprising: a transmitting module configured to transmit to user equipment a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication; and a receiving module configured to, responsive to the transmitting module transmitting the command, receive from the user equipment a message that confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration, wherein each of one or more bits or octets of the message is configurable by the radio network equipment for confirming activation or release of any of multiple different types of SPS configurations or multiple different SPS configuration indices.

Embodiment 1 14. The radio network equipment of embodiment 113, configured to perform the method of any one of embodiments 74-77.

Embodiment 1 15. A computer program, comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor of a radio network equipment, cause the radio network equipment to carry out the method according to any one of embodiments 40-77.

Embodiment 1 16. A carrier containing the computer program of embodiment 96 or 115, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or computer readable storage medium.

Embodiment 1 17. A method performed by a user equipment configured for use in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: receiving from radio network equipment signaling indicating both an index of a first type and an index of a second type that are to each identify the same semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, wherein the SPS configuration specifies a set of periodic resources for communication; receiving from the radio network equipment a command to activate or release the SPS configuration as identified in the command using the index of the first type; and transmitting to the radio network node a message that indicates whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration as identified in the message using the index of the second type.

Embodiment 118. The method of embodiment 117, wherein the signaling indicating the index of the first type and the index of the second type also configures the user equipment with the SPS configuration by specifying one or more parameters for the SPS configuration.

Embodiment 119. The method of any of embodiments 117-118, wherein indices of the second type only uniquely identify SPS configurations of the same type, such that the second type of index is specific to a type of SPS configuration.

Embodiment 120. The method of any of embodiments 117-118, wherein indices of the second type uniquely identify SPS configurations of any type, such that the second type of index is agnostic as to a type of SPS configuration.

Embodiment 121. The method of any of embodiments 117-120, further comprising using the index of the second type to identify the SPS configuration in the message by determining, from the index of the second type, which bit of the message is to indicate whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration and setting the determined bit to indicate whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration.

Embodiment 122. The method of embodiment 121 , wherein bits of the message have respective indices, and wherein said determining comprises determining the bit that is to indicate whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration as being the bit that has the same index as the index of the second type identifying the SPS configuration.

Embodiment 123. The method of embodiment121 , wherein bits of the message have respective indices, and wherein said determining comprises determining the bit that is to indicate whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration based on comparing the index of the second type identifying the SPS

configuration to each of one or more other indices of the second type identifying one or more other SPS configurations, wherein for each of the one or more other SPS configurations the message indicates whether the user equipment confirms commanded activation or release of that other SPS configuration.

Embodiment 124. The method of embodiment 123, wherein said determining comprises identifying based on the comparing that the SPS configuration has the Nth smallest index of the second type among the one or more other indices of the second type identifying the one or more other SPS configurations and determining the bit that is to indicate whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration as being the bit with the Nth smallest index.

Embodiment 125. The method of any of embodiments 117-124, wherein the signaling indicates the index of the first type and the index of the second type as dynamically assigned by the radio network equipment to the SPS configuration.

Embodiment 126. The method of any of embodiments 117-125, wherein the signaling indicates the index of the first type and the index of the second type as dynamically assigned by the radio network equipment to the SPS configuration on a user equipment specific basis. Embodiment 127. The method of any of embodiments 117-126, wherein the message is a control message that comprises a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE).

Embodiment 128. The method of embodiment 127, wherein the MAC CE is identified by a MAC protocol data unit (PDU) subheader with a logical channel identity (LCID) that is generic as to a type or index of one or more SPS configurations whose activation or release is confirmed by the MAC CE.

Embodiment 129. The method of any of embodiments 127-128, wherein the MAC CE is identified by a MAC protocol data unit (PDU) subheader with a logical channel identity (LCID) equal to 10101.

Embodiment 130. The method of any of embodiments 117-129, wherein the index of the second type identifying the SPS configuration is agnostic as to whether the SPS configuration is a non-V2X (Vehicle-to-everything) SPS configuration or a V2X SPS configuration.

Embodiment 131. A method performed by network equipment configured for use in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: transmitting to a user equipment signaling indicating both an index of a first type and an index of a second type that are to each identify the same semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, wherein the SPS

configuration specifies a set of periodic resources for communication; transmitting to the user equipment a command to activate or release the SPS configuration as identified in the command using the index of the first type; and receiving from the user equipment a message that indicates whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration as identified in the message using the index of the second type.

Embodiment 132. The method of embodiment 131 , wherein the signaling indicating the index of the first type and the index of the second type also configures the user equipment with the SPS configuration by specifying one or more parameters for the SPS configuration.

Embodiment 133. The method of any of embodiments 131-132, wherein indices of the second type only uniquely identify SPS configurations of the same type, such that the second type of index is specific to a type of SPS configuration. Embodiment 134. The method of any of embodiments 131-132, wherein indices of the second type uniquely identify SPS configurations of any type, such that the second type of index is agnostic as to a type of SPS configuration.

Embodiment 135. The method of any of embodiments 131-134, further comprising determining, from the index of the second type, which bit of the message indicates whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration.

Embodiment 136. The method of embodiment 135, wherein bits of the message have respective indices, and wherein said determining comprises determining the bit of the message that indicates whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration as being the bit that has the same index as the index of the second type identifying the SPS configuration.

Embodiment 137. The method of embodiment 135, wherein bits of the message have respective indices, and wherein said determining comprises determining the bit of the message that indicates whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration based on comparing the index of the second type identifying the SPS configuration to each of one or more other indices of the second type identifying one or more other SPS configurations, wherein for each of the one or more other SPS configurations the message indicates whether the user equipment confirms commanded activation or release of that other SPS configuration.

Embodiment 138. The method of embodiment 137, wherein said determining comprises identifying based on the comparing that the SPS configuration has the Nth smallest index of the second type among the one or more other indices of the second type identifying the one or more other SPS configurations and determining the bit to confirm the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration as being the bit with the Nth smallest index.

Embodiment 139. The method of any of embodiments 131-138, wherein the signaling indicates the index of the first type and the index of the second type as dynamically assigned by the radio network equipment to the SPS configuration.

Embodiment 140. The method of any of embodiments 131-139, wherein the signaling indicates the index of the first type and the index of the second type as dynamically assigned by the radio network equipment to the SPS configuration on a user equipment specific basis.

Embodiment 141. The method of any of embodiments 131-140, wherein the message is a control message that comprises a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE).

Embodiment 142. The method of embodiment 141 , wherein the MAC CE is identified by a MAC protocol data unit (PDU) subheader with a logical channel identity (LCID) that is generic as to a type or index of one or more SPS configurations whose activation or release is confirmed by the MAC CE. Embodiment 143. The method of any of embodiments 141-142, wherein the MAC CE is identified by a MAC protocol data unit (PDU) subheader with a logical channel identity (LCID) equal to 10101.

Embodiment 144. The method of any of embodiments 131-143, wherein the index of the second type identifying the SPS configuration is agnostic as to whether the SPS configuration is a non-V2X (Vehicle-to-everything) SPS configuration or a V2X SPS configuration.

Embodiment 145. A user equipment configured for use in a wireless communication system, the user equipment configured to: receive from radio network equipment signaling indicating both an index of a first type and an index of a second type that are to each identify the same semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, wherein the SPS configuration specifies a set of periodic resources for communication; receive from the radio network equipment a command to activate or release the SPS configuration as identified in the command using the index of the first type; and transmit to the radio network node a message that indicates whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration as identified in the message using the index of the second type.

Embodiment 146. The user equipment of embodiment 145, configured to perform the method of any of embodiments 118-130.

Embodiment 147. A user equipment configured for use in a wireless communication system, the user equipment comprising: processing circuitry and memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuity whereby the user equipment is configured to: receive from radio network equipment signaling indicating both an index of a first type and an index of a second type that are to each identify the same semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, wherein the SPS configuration specifies a set of periodic resources for communication; receive from the radio network equipment a command to activate or release the SPS configuration as identified in the command using the index of the first type; and transmit to the radio network node a message that indicates whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration as identified in the message using the index of the second type.

Embodiment 148. The user equipment of embodiment 147, wherein the memory contains instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the user equipment is configured to perform the method of any of embodiments 118-130.

Embodiment 149. A user equipment configured for use in a wireless communication system, the user equipment comprising: a receiving module for receiving from radio network equipment signaling indicating both an index of a first type and an index of a second type that are to each identify the same semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, wherein the SPS configuration specifies a set of periodic resources for communication; a receiving module for receiving from the radio network equipment a command to activate or release the SPS configuration as identified in the command using the index of the first type; and a transmitting module for transmitting to the radio network node a message that indicates whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration as identified in the message using the index of the second type.

Embodiment 150. The user equipment of embodiment 149, comprising one or more modules for performing the method of any of embodiments 118-130.

Embodiment 151. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a user equipment, causes the wireless device to carry out the method of any of embodiments 117-130.

Embodiment 152. A carrier containing the computer program of embodiment 151 , wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or computer readable storage medium.

Embodiment 153. Radio network equipment configured for use in a wireless

communication system, the radio network equipment configured to: transmit to a user equipment signaling indicating both an index of a first type and an index of a second type that are to each identify the same semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, wherein the SPS configuration specifies a set of periodic resources for communication; transmit to the user equipment a command to activate or release the SPS configuration as identified in the command using the index of the first type; and receive from the user equipment a message that indicates whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration as identified in the message using the index of the second type.

Embodiment 154. The radio network equipment of embodiment 153, configured to perform the method of any of embodiments 132-144.

Embodiment 155. Radio network equipment configured for use in a wireless

communication system, the radio network equipment comprising: processing circuitry and memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuity whereby the network equipment is configured to: transmit to a user equipment signaling indicating both an index of a first type and an index of a second type that are to each identify the same semi- persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, wherein the SPS configuration specifies a set of periodic resources for communication; transmit to the user equipment a command to activate or release the SPS configuration as identified in the command using the index of the first type; and receive from the user equipment a message that indicates whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration as identified in the message using the index of the second type.

Embodiment 156. The radio network equipment of embodiment 155, configured to perform the method of any of embodiments 132-144.

Embodiment 157. Radio network equipment configured for use in a wireless

communication system, the radio network equipment comprising: a transmitting module for transmitting to a user equipment signaling indicating both an index of a first type and an index of a second type that are to each identify the same semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, wherein the SPS configuration specifies a set of periodic resources for communication; a transmitting module for transmitting to the user equipment a command to activate or release the SPS configuration as identified in the command using the index of the first type; and a receiving module for receiving from the user equipment a message that indicates whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration as identified in the message using the index of the second type.

Embodiment 158. The radio network equipment of embodiment 157, comprising one or more modules for performing the method of any of embodiments 132-144.

Embodiment 159. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of radio network equipment, causes the radio network equipment to carry out the method of any of embodiments 131-144.

Embodiment 160. A carrier containing the computer program of embodiment 159, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or computer readable storage medium.

Embodiment 161. A method performed by a user equipment configured for use in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: receiving from radio network equipment a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication; determining, from an index of the SPS configuration that is agnostic as to a type of the SPS configuration, which bit of a message is to indicate whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration; and transmitting the message to the radio network equipment with the determined bit indicating whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration.

Embodiment 162. The method of embodiment 161 , wherein multiple SPS configurations of different types supported by the wireless communication system, including the SPS configuration to be activated or released, have unique indices that are agnostic as to the types of the SPS configurations.

Embodiment 163. The method of any of embodiments 161-162, wherein the index is of a certain type, wherein different indices of the type uniquely identify SPS configurations of any type.

Embodiment 164. The method of any of embodiments 161-163, further comprising receiving signaling indicating the index of the SPS configuration as dynamically assigned by the radio network equipment.

Embodiment 165. The method of any of embodiments 161-164, further comprising receiving signaling indicating the index of the SPS configuration as dynamically assigned by the radio network equipment on a user equipment specific basis. Embodiment 166. The method of any of embodiments 161-165, wherein bits of the message have respective indices, and wherein said determining comprises determining the bit that is to indicate whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration as being the bit that has the same index as the index of the SPS configuration.

Embodiment 167. The method of any of embodiments 161-165, wherein bits of the message have respective indices, and wherein said determining comprises determining the bit that is to indicate whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration based on comparing the index of the SPS configuration to each of one or more other indices of identifying one or more other SPS configurations, wherein for each of the one or more other SPS configurations the message indicates whether the user equipment confirms commanded activation or release of that other SPS configuration confirm.

Embodiment 168. The method of embodiment 167, wherein said determining comprises identifying based on the comparing that the SPS configuration has the Nth smallest index among the one or more other indices and determining the bit that is to indicate whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration as being the bit with the Nth smallest index.

Embodiment 169. The method of any of embodiments 161-168, wherein the message is a control message that comprises a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE).

Embodiment 170. The method of embodiment 169, wherein the MAC CE is identified by a MAC protocol data unit (PDU) subheader with a logical channel identity (LCID) that is generic as to a type or index of one or more SPS configurations whose activation or release is confirmed by the MAC CE.

Embodiment 171. The method of any of embodiments 169-170, wherein the MAC CE is identified by a MAC protocol data unit (PDU) subheader with a logical channel identity (LCID) equal to 10101.

Embodiment 172. The method of any of embodiments 161-171 , wherein the index of the SPS configuration is agnostic as to whether the SPS configuration is a non-V2X (Vehicle-to- everything) SPS configuration or a V2X SPS configuration.

Embodiment 173. A method performed by a radio network equipment configured for use in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: transmitting to a user equipment a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication; determining, from an index of the SPS configuration that is agnostic as to a type of the SPS configuration, which bit of a message is to indicate whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration; and receiving from the user equipment the message with the determined bit indicating whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration. Embodiment 174. The method of embodiment 173, further comprising checking the determined bit in the message to determine if the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration.

Embodiment 175. The method of any of embodiments 173-174, wherein multiple SPS configurations of different types supported by the wireless communication system, including the SPS configuration to be activated or released, have unique indices that are agnostic as to the types of the SPS configurations.

Embodiment 176. The method of any of embodiments 173-175, wherein the index is of a certain type, wherein different indices of the type uniquely identify SPS configurations of any type.

Embodiment 177. The method of any of embodiments 173-176, further comprising transmitting signaling indicating the index of the SPS configuration as dynamically assigned by the radio network equipment.

Embodiment 178. The method of any of embodiments 173-177, further comprising transmitting signaling indicating the index of the SPS configuration as dynamically assigned by the radio network equipment on a user equipment specific basis.

Embodiment 179. The method of any of embodiments 173-178, wherein bits of the message have respective indices, and wherein said determining comprises determining the bit that is to indicate whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration as being the bit that has the same index as the index of the SPS configuration.

Embodiment 180. The method of any of embodiments 173-178, wherein bits of the message have respective indices, and wherein said determining comprises determining the bit that is to indicate whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration based on comparing the index of the SPS configuration to each of one or more indices of one or more other SPS configurations, wherein for each of the one or more other SPS configurations the message indicates whether the user equipment confirms commanded activation or release of that other SPS configuration.

Embodiment 181. The method of embodiment 180, wherein said determining comprises identifying based on the comparing that the SPS configuration has the Nth smallest index among the one or more other SPS configurations and determining the bit that is to indicate whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration as being the bit with the Nth smallest index.

Embodiment 182. The method of any of embodiments 173-181 , wherein the message is a control message that comprises a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE).

Embodiment 183. The method of embodiment 182, wherein the MAC CE is identified by a MAC protocol data unit (PDU) subheader with a logical channel identity (LCID) that is generic as to a type or index of one or more SPS configurations whose activation or release is confirmed by the MAC CE.

Embodiment 184. The method of any of embodiments 182-183, wherein the MAC CE is identified by a MAC protocol data unit (PDU) subheader with a logical channel identity (LCID) equal to 10101.

Embodiment 185. The method of any of embodiments 173-184, wherein the index of the SPS configuration is agnostic as to whether the SPS configuration is a non-V2X (Vehicle-to- everything) SPS configuration or a V2X SPS configuration.

Embodiment 186. A user equipment configured for use in a wireless communication system, the user equipment configured to: receive from radio network equipment a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication; determine, from an index of the SPS configuration that is agnostic as to a type of the SPS configuration, which bit of a message is to indicate whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration; and transmit the message to the radio network equipment with the determined bit indicating whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration.

Embodiment 187. The user equipment of embodiment 186, configured to perform the method of any of embodiments 162-172.

Embodiment 188. A user equipment configured for use in a wireless communication system, the user equipment comprising: processing circuitry and memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuity whereby the user equipment is configured to: receive from radio network equipment a command to activate or release a semi- persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication; determine, from an index of the SPS configuration that is agnostic as to a type of the SPS configuration, which bit of a message is to indicate whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration; and transmit the message to the radio network equipment with the determined bit indicating whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration.

Embodiment 189. The user equipment of embodiment 188, wherein the memory contains instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the user equipment is configured to perform the method of any of embodiments 162-172.

Embodiment 190. A user equipment configured for use in a wireless communication system, the user equipment comprising: a command receiving module for receiving from radio network equipment a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication; a determining module for determining, from an index of the SPS configuration that is agnostic as to a type of the SPS configuration, which bit of a message is to indicate whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration; and a transmitting module for transmitting the message to the radio network equipment with the determined bit indicating whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration.

Embodiment 191. The user equipment of embodiment 190, comprising one or more modules for performing the method of any of embodiments 162-172.

Embodiment 192. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a user equipment, causes the wireless device to carry out the method of any of embodiments 161-172.

Embodiment 193. A carrier containing the computer program of embodiment 192, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or computer readable storage medium.

Embodiment 194. Radio network equipment configured for use in a wireless

communication system, the radio network equipment configured to: transmit to a user equipment a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication; determine, from an index of the SPS configuration that is agnostic as to a type of the SPS configuration, which bit of a message is to indicate whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration; and receive from the user equipment the message with the determined bit indicating whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration.

Embodiment 195. The radio network equipment of embodiment 194, configured to perform the method of any of embodiments 174-185.

Embodiment 196. Radio network equipment configured for use in a wireless

communication system, the radio network equipment comprising: processing circuitry and memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuity whereby the radio network equipment is configured to: transmit to a user equipment a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication; determine, from an index of the SPS configuration that is agnostic as to a type of the SPS configuration, which bit of a message is to indicate whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration; and receive from the user equipment the message with the determined bit indicating whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration.

Embodiment 197. The radio network equipment of embodiment 196, configured to perform the method of any of embodiments 174-185.

Embodiment 198. Radio network equipment configured for use in a wireless

communication system, the radio network equipment comprising: a command transmitting module for transmitting to a user equipment a command to activate or release a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, the SPS configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for communication; a determining module for determining, from an index of the SPS configuration that is agnostic as to a type of the SPS configuration, which bit of a message is to indicate whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration; and a receiving module for receiving from the user equipment the message with the determined bit indicating whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration.

Embodiment 199. The radio network equipment of embodiment 198, comprising one or more modules for performing the method of any of embodiments 174-185.

Embodiment 200. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of radio network equipment, causes the radio network equipment to carry out the method of any of embodiments 173-185.

Embodiment 201. A carrier containing the computer program of embodiment 200, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or computer readable storage medium.

Embodiment 202. A communication system including a host computer comprising:

processing circuitry configured to provide user data; and a communication interface configured to forward the user data to a cellular network for transmission to a user equipment (UE);

wherein the cellular network comprises radio network equipment having a radio interface and processing circuitry, the radio network equipment's processing circuitry configured to perform the method of any of embodiments 131-144 and 173-185.

Embodiment 203. The communication system of embodiment 202, further comprising the radio network equipment.

Embodiment 204. The communication system of any of embodiments 202-203, further comprising the user equipment.

Embodiment 205. The communication system of any of embodiments 202-204, wherein the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application, thereby providing the user data; and the UE comprises processing circuitry configured to execute a client application associated with the host application.

Embodiment 206. A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, radio network equipment and a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: at the host computer, providing user data; and at the host computer, initiating a transmission carrying the user data to the UE via a cellular network comprising the radio network equipment, wherein the radio network equipment is configured to perform the method of any of embodiments 131- 144 and 173-185.

Embodiment 207. The method of embodiment 206, further comprising: at the radio network equipment, transmitting the user data. Embodiment 208. The method of embodiment 206, wherein the user data is provided at the host computer by executing a host application, the method further comprising: at the UE, executing a client application associated with the host application.

Embodiment 209. A communication system including a host computer comprising: processing circuitry configured to provide user data; and a communication interface configured to forward user data to a cellular network for transmission to a user equipment (UE), wherein the UE comprises a radio interface and processing circuitry, the UE's processing circuitry configured to perform the method of any of embodiments 117-130 and 161-172.

Embodiment 210. The communication system of embodiment 209, further including the UE.

Embodiment 21 1. The communication system of embodiment 210, wherein the cellular network further includes radio network equipment configured to communicate with the UE.

Embodiment 212. The communication system of embodiment 210 or 21 1 , wherein: the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application, thereby providing the user data; and the UE's processing circuitry is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application.

Embodiment 213. A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, radio network equipment, and a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: at the host computer, providing user data; and at the host computer, initiating a transmission carrying the user data to the UE via a cellular network comprising the radio network equipment, wherein the UE is configured to perform the method of any of embodiments 117-130 and 161-172.

Embodiment 214. The method of embodiment 213, further comprising: at the UE, receiving the user data from the base station.

Embodiment 215. A communication system including a host computer comprising: a communication interface configured to receive user data originating from a transmission from a user equipment (UE) to radio network equipment, wherein the UE comprises a radio interface and processing circuitry, the UE's processing circuitry configured to perform the method of any of embodiments 117-130 and 161-172

Embodiment 216. The communication system of embodiment 215, further including the UE.

Embodiment 217. The communication system of embodiment 216, further including the radio network equipment, wherein the radio network equipment comprises a radio interface configured to communicate with the UE and a communication interface configured to forward to the host computer the user data carried by a transmission from the UE to the radio network equipment.

Embodiment 218. The communication system of embodiment 216 or 217, wherein: the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application; and the UE's processing circuitry is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby providing the user data.

Embodiment 219. The communication system of embodiment 216 or 217, wherein: the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application, thereby providing request data; and the UE's processing circuitry is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby providing the user data in response to the request data.

Embodiment 220. A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, radio network equipment and a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: at the host computer, receiving user data transmitted to the base station from the UE, wherein the UE is configured to perform the method of any of embodiments 117-130 and 161-172.

Embodiment 221. The method of embodiment 220, further comprising: at the UE, providing the user data to the radio network equipment.

Embodiment 222. The method of embodiment 221 , further comprising: at the UE, executing a client application, thereby providing the user data to be transmitted; and at the host computer, executing a host application associated with the client application.

Embodiment 223. The method of embodiment 221 , further comprising: at the UE, executing a client application; and at the UE, receiving input data to the client application, the input data being provided at the host computer by executing a host application associated with the client application, wherein the user data to be transmitted is provided by the client application in response to the input data.

Embodiment 224. A communication system including a host computer comprising a communication interface configured to receive user data originating from a transmission from a user equipment (UE) to radio network equipment, wherein the radio network equipment comprises a radio interface and processing circuitry, the radio network equipment's processing circuitry configured to perform the method of any of embodiments 131-144 and 173-185.

Embodiment 225. The communication system of embodiment 224, further including the radio network equipment.

Embodiment 226. The communication system of embodiment 225, further including the UE, wherein the UE is configured to communicate with the radio network equipment.

Embodiment 227. The communication system of embodiment 226, wherein: the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application; the UE is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby providing the user data to be received by the host computer.

Embodiment 228. A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, radio network equipment and a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: at the host computer, receiving, from the radio network equipment, user data originating from a transmission which the radio network equipment has received from the UE, wherein the UE is configured to perform the method of any of embodiments 117-130 and 161-172.

Embodiment 229. The method of embodiment 228, further comprising: at the radio network equipment, receiving the user data from the UE.

Embodiment 230. The method of embodiment 229, further comprising: at the radio network equipment, initiating a transmission of the received user data to the host computer.

Embodiment 231. A method performed by a user equipment configured for use in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: receiving from radio network equipment signaling indicating an index i that is to identify a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, wherein the SPS configuration specifies a set of periodic resources for communication; receiving from the radio network equipment a command to activate or release the SPS configuration; transmitting to the radio network node a message whose i'th bit indicates whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration.

Embodiment 232. A method performed by network equipment configured for use in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: transmitting to a user equipment signaling indicating an index i that is to identify a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS)

configuration, wherein the SPS configuration specifies a set of periodic resources for communication; transmitting to the user equipment a command to activate or release the SPS configuration; and receiving from the user equipment a message whose i'th bit indicates whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration.

Embodiment 233. The method of embodiment 232, further comprising checking the i'th bit in the message to determine if the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration.

Embodiment 234. The method of any of embodiments 231-233, wherein the signaling indicating the index also configures the user equipment with the SPS configuration by specifying one or more parameters for the SPS configuration.

Embodiment 235. The method of any of embodiments 231-234, wherein the index is a type of index which uniquely identifies SPS configurations of any type, such that the type of index is agnostic as to a type of SPS configuration.

Embodiment 236. The method of any of embodiments 231-235, wherein the signaling indicates the index as dynamically assigned by the radio network equipment to the SPS configuration.

Embodiment 237. The method of any of embodiments 231-236, wherein the signaling indicates the index as dynamically assigned by the radio network equipment to the SPS configuration on a user equipment specific basis. Embodiment 238. The method of any of embodiments 231-237, wherein the message is a control message that comprises a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE).

Embodiment 239. The method of embodiment 238, wherein the MAC CE is identified by a MAC protocol data unit (PDU) subheader with a logical channel identity (LCID) that is generic as to a type or index of one or more SPS configurations whose activation or release is confirmed by the MAC CE.

Embodiment 240. The method of any of embodiments 238-239, wherein the MAC CE is identified by a MAC protocol data unit (PDU) subheader with a logical channel identity (LCID) equal to 10101.

Embodiment 241. A user equipment configured for use in a wireless communication system, the user equipment configured to: receive from radio network equipment signaling indicating an index i that is to identify a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, wherein the SPS configuration specifies a set of periodic resources for communication; receive from the radio network equipment a command to activate or release the SPS configuration; and transmit to the radio network node a message whose i'th bit indicates whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration.

Embodiment 242. The user equipment of embodiment 241 , configured to perform the method of any of embodiments 234-240.

Embodiment 243. A user equipment configured for use in a wireless communication system, the user equipment comprising: processing circuitry and memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuity whereby the user equipment is configured to: receive from radio network equipment signaling indicating an index i that is to identify a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, wherein the SPS configuration specifies a set of periodic resources for communication; receive from the radio network equipment a command to activate or release the SPS configuration; and transmit to the radio network node a message whose i'th bit indicates whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration.

Embodiment 244. The user equipment of embodiment 243, the memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuity whereby the user equipment is configured to perform the method of any of embodiments 234-240.

Embodiment 245. A user equipment configured for use in a wireless communication system, the user equipment comprising: a receiving module for receiving from radio network equipment signaling indicating an index i that is to identify a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, wherein the SPS configuration specifies a set of periodic resources for communication; a receiving module for receiving from the radio network equipment a command to activate or release the SPS configuration; and a transmitting module for transmitting to the radio network node a message whose i'th bit indicates whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration. Embodiment 246. The user equipment of embodiment 245, comprising one or more modules for performing the method of any of embodiments 234-240.

Embodiment 247. Radio network equipment configured for use in a wireless

communication system, the radio network equipment configured to: transmit to a user equipment signaling indicating an index i that is to identify a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, wherein the SPS configuration specifies a set of periodic resources for communication; transmit to the user equipment a command to activate or release the SPS configuration; and receive from the user equipment a message whose i'th bit indicates whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration.

Embodiment 248. The radio network equipment of embodiment 247, configured to perform the method of any of embodiments 233-240.

Embodiment 249. Radio network equipment configured for use in a wireless

communication system, the radio network equipment comprising: processing circuitry and memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuity whereby the radio network equipment is configured to: transmit to a user equipment signaling indicating an index i that is to identify a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, wherein the SPS configuration specifies a set of periodic resources for communication; transmit to the user equipment a command to activate or release the SPS configuration; and receive from the user equipment a message whose i'th bit indicates whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration.

Embodiment 250. The radio network equipment of embodiment 249, configured to perform the method of any of embodiments 233-240.

Embodiment 251. Radio network equipment configured for use in a wireless

communication system, the radio network equipment comprising: a transmitting module for transmitting to a user equipment signaling indicating an index i that is to identify a semi- persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, wherein the SPS configuration specifies a set of periodic resources for communication; a transmitting module for transmitting to the user equipment a command to activate or release the SPS configuration; and a receiving module for receiving from the user equipment a message whose i'th bit indicates whether the user equipment confirms the commanded activation or release of the SPS configuration.

Embodiment 252. The radio network equipment of embodiment 251 , comprising one or more modules for performing the method of any of embodiments 233-240.

Some embodiments will now be described in a context involving V2X communication as a specific example.

Extensions for the device to device (D2D) work consist of support of V2x

communication, which includes any combination of direct communication between vehicles, pedestrians and infrastructure. V2x communication may take advantage of a network (NW) infrastructure, when available, but at least basic V2x connectivity should be possible even in case of lack of coverage. Providing an LTE-based V2x interface may be economically advantageous because of the LTE economies of scale and it may enable tighter integration between communications with the NW infrastructure (V2I) and V2P and V2V communications, as compared to using a dedicated V2x technology. One example of this is shown in Figure 1 1.

V2x communications may carry both non-safety and safety information, where each of the applications and services may be associated with specific requirements sets, e.g., in terms of latency, reliability, capacity, etc.

Sidelink transmissions (also known as D2D or ProSe) over the so-called PC5 interface in cellular spectrum may occur, e.g., in two different operative modes. In one mode (mode-1), a UE in RRC_CONNECTED mode requests D2D resources and the eNB grants them via physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) (DCI5) or via dedicated signalling. In another mode (mode- 2), a UE autonomously selects resources for transmission from a pool of available resources that the eNB provides in broadcast via system information block (SIB) signalling for

transmissions on carriers other than the primacy cell (PCell) or via dedicated signaling for transmission on the PCell. Therefore, unlike the first operation mode, the second operation mode can be performed also by UEs in RRCJDLE.

The usage of sidelink may be extended to the V2x domain. Some designs of the sidelink physical layer may be dictated by the assumption of a few amount of UEs competing for the same physical resources in the spectrum, to carry voice packet for mission critical push to talk (MCPTT) traffic, and low-mobility. On the other hand, in V2x the sidelink should be able to cope with higher load scenario (i.e. hundreds of cars could potentially contend for physical resources), to carry time/event triggered V2x messages (cooperative awareness message, CAM, decentralized environmental notification message, DENM), and high mobility. For such reasons, two new operations modes may be advantageous. For example, a mode-3 which includes SL SPS and dynamic SL grant a-la mode-1 , and mode-4 which corresponds to UE autonomous resource selection a-la mode-2 with some enhancements. Such enhancements include the so-called sensing procedure in which the UE is required to sense the channel for at least a certain time-frame before selecting the proper resources.

As possibly implemented in LTE, eNB may configure one SPS configuration to a certain UE, which specifies a set of periodic resources for LTE transmission. eNB may (de)activate SPS configuration via downlink control information (DCI). Once the SPS configuration is activated, UE can use the associated resources. Once the SPS configuration is deactivated, UE should stop using the associated resources. Once UE receives SPS (de)activation command, it send back a SPS confirmation to eNB. 3GPP TS 36.321 V14.1.0.

The eNB can configure multiple SPS configurations to a UE, with each configuration specifying a set of periodic resources for UE to transmit V2X data. There are two types of SPS configurations, V2X SL SPS configuration, which is for the transmission on the PC5 interface, aka sidelink; and V2X UL SPS configuration, which is for the uplink transmission on the Uu interface.

Once a SPS configuration is activated, UE can use the associated resources. Once the SPS configuration is deactivated, UE should stop using the associated resources. eNB is allowed to (de)activate multiple SPS configurations simultaneously.

According to particular embodiments, multiple SPS configurations with different configuration parameters can be configured by the eNB. Which SPS configuration is being activated/deactivated can be signalled. In some embodiments, multiple SPS configurations may be active at the same time, i.e., may be activated simultaneously. Where multiple SPS are active at a time, SPS configuration and UE assistance information may be linked to one or more radio bearers.

With respect to V2X UL DCI, the following existing field in DCI 0 (for the legacy UL SPS activation/release) may be reused to indicate V2X UL SPS configuration index: Cyclic shift DM RS (3bits). Also with respect to V2X UL DCI, the DMRS cyclic shift is fixed to zero.

With respect to SL SPS DCI, the following two fields are additionally included in the existing dynamic scheduling DCI (i.e., DCI 5A): SL SPS configuration index : 3 bits; and Activation/release indication : 1 bit. Further with respect to SL SPS DCI, a UE is not expected to be (pre)configured with the size of SL SPS DCI format larger than that of DCI format 0 mapped onto the same search space, if DCI format 0 is defined on the same search space.

In some embodiments, up to 8 V2X UL SPS and 8 V2X SL SPS may be supported simultaneously.

UL SPS may be configured only in the PCell, in some embodiments. This means that in a multiple carrier system (today LTE can support up to 32 carrier aggregation configurations), SPS cannot be configured on the secondary cell (SCell). In future radio access systems featuring a mixture of licensed and unlicensed carriers (e.g. LAA), the extension of SPS confirmation procedures to SCells may occur.

Consider now some design considerations / goals. Features should provide an SPS confirmation mechanism to support, e.g., more than one SPS configuration. For example, in LAA, up to 32 SPS configurations are to be supported. As a result, a new SPS confirmation MAC CE including 32 bits may be preferred, with each bit indicate the status of a SPS configuration. As another example, in V2X, up to 16 SPS configurations are to be supported. As a result, a new SPS confirmation MAC CE including 16 bits may be preferred, with each bit indicate the status of a SPS configuration. Another alternative is that two new SPS confirmation MAC CE with each including 8 bits may be preferred.

Consider now some conditions to preferably avoid: (1) Differing SPS confirmation MAC

CE definitions across implementations (to support different new features), which increases implementation cost; (2) When defining new SPS confirmation MAC CE for a certain feature, considering only the requirement of that feature, without considering other features or the future extension. E.g. when consider LAA, which needs up to 32 SPS, the corresponding new SPS confirmation MAC CE will support up to 32 SPS. If there is other feature needing more SPS to be supported, a new SPS confirmation MAC CE would have to be defined; (3) Exhausting the limit of LCID (valid value is 00000-1 11 11) as defining a new SPS confirmation MAC CE may require a new LCID.

For features needing enhancement to existing SPS confirmation mechanisms, a common SPS confirmation solution may be introduced, which may be used to confirm the SPS dedicated for certain feature or those shared among different features. Additionally or alternatively, the LCID being used by legacy SPS confirmation MAC CE may be reused by new SPS confirmation MAC CE. Some embodiments may take into consideration the design of SPS confirmation MAC CE for 3 different technologies (V2X SL, V2X UL, LAA). However some embodiments may be extended to any other technology that is compatible with the SPS protocol, e.g. carrier aggregation/dual connectivity with SPS configured in multiple serving carriers.

More particularly, in some embodiments, when eNB activates/releases a certain SPS configuration via DCI, it specifies the index of the concerned SPS configuration, say

SPS_lndex_DCI. For example, DCIO will be used to activate/release V2X UL SPS, where "UL SPS configuration index" will indicate the SPS index to be activated/released.

This SPS_lndex_DCI will be specified by eNB when it configures a SPS via RRC message "RRCConnectionReconfiguration". For V2X UL SPS, it is the IE "sps-Configlndex" of the IE "SPS-ConfigUL" of the IE "SPS-Config" of RRC message

"RRCConnectionReconfiguration". The value range is 1..8. For V2XSL SPS, it is the IE "sps- Configlndex" of the IE "SPS-ConfigSL" of the IE "SPS-Config" RRC message

"RRCConnectionReconfiguration". The value range is 1..8.

In some embodiments, two SPS with different types may share the same

SPS_lndex_DCI, e.g. there can be one V2X SL SPS and one V2X UL SPS, and they have same SPS_lndex_DCI=3.

In some embodiments, when UE confirms the activation/release of a certain SPS configuration via SPS confirmation MAC CE, the concerned SPS is specified by a certain bit in SPS confirmation MAC CE, say SPS_lndex_MACCE.

In some embodiments, a new SPS confirmation MAC CE is introduced to support more than one SPS. The total number of SPS to be supported by the new MAC CE is feature independent, and considers the possibility of new feature needing support for more SPS.

In a particular embodiment, the new SPS confirmation MAC CE may be defined as certain number of octets, with each bit indicating status for one SPS configuration. The total bit number may be equal to or bigger than the amount of SPS to be supported by certain known features. Each bit in the MAC CE may correspond to an SPS index configured by the network. Alternatively, the index may correspond to the serving cell index in which an SPS is configured.

As an example shown in Figure 12, the new MAC CE includes 4 octets, which can support up to 32 SPS.

In other embodiments, the new SPS confirmation MAC CE may be defined to include a flexible number of octets, with each bit indicating status for one SPS configuration. As an example shown in Figure 13, there are 4 octets in an SPS confirmation MAC CE. eNB and UE determine the amount of octets included in the new SPS confirmation MAC CE based on some algorithms.

In an embodiment, the amount of octets may be determined based on the amount of

SPS configurations configured to a UE. In this case, the SPS configuration is known to both UE and eNB. The amount of Octets included in the new SPS confirmation MAC CE can be calculated by the formula: (i) If only one SPS is configured, the amount of Octet = 0, i.e. legacy MAC CE will be used; and (ii) If more than one SPS is configured, the amount of Octets = ceiling function (<amount of SPS configured> divide 8).

For example, if (amount of SPS configured =1), the amount of octets is 0, if (amount of SPS configured >1 and amount of SPS configured <=8), the amount of octets is 1 , if (amount of SPS configured >=9 and amount of SPS configured <=16), the amount of octets is 2, and if (amount of SPS configured >=17 and amount of SPS configured <=24), the amount of octets is 3.

In another embodiment, the amount of octets may be configured implicitly or explicitly by eNB when eNB configures the correlation between SPS_lndex_DCI and SPS_lndex_MACCE.

In another embodiment, the amount of octets may be indicated explicitly by the subheader of MAC CE. The new SPS confirmation MAC CE may use a MAC subheader containing an L-field, for example the "R/R/E/LCID/F/L sub-header with 7-bits L field" defined in "Figure

6.1.6-1 : R/R/E/LCID/F/L MAC subheader" in 3GPP 36.321 V14.1.0. specification. The field "L" in sub-header may indicate the length of MAC CE. For example, if the field "L" is 3, it may indicate there are 3 octets in SPS confirmation MAC CE, implying eNB can configure the UE with up to 24 SPS, and UE can confirm up to 24 SPS back to eNB, each of such 24 SPS configurations possibly belonging to different technologies (e.g. V2V UL, V2V SL, LAA).

In case one technology is not used by the UE, the size of the MAC CE may be smaller as indicated in the F field in the MAC CE. For example in Figure 13, if the F field is "00000001" it may indicate that only information related to SL V2V are reported, whereas if the F field is "0000001 1", both information related to SL V2V and UL V2V may be reported etc. Therefore, with the F field design in Figure 13 up to 8 different technologies may be supported.

In another embodiment, the F field indicates the number of octets present in the MAC

CE. In one embodiment, one octet may be used to indicate SPS configurations of the same feature only, e.g. all bits of octet 1 may be used to indicate V2X SL SPS configurations only, and Octet 2 may be used to indicate feLAA only. It may be defined by pre-configuration, e.g. by 3GPP standard, or by configuration by eNB.

In an example shown in Figure 14, SPS confirmation MAC CE may be predefined as:

Octet #1 indicates status of V2X-SL SPS; Octet #2 indicates status of V2X-UL SPS; and Octet #3, #4, #5, #6 indicates status of LAA SPS.

In Figure 14, it is considered that both V2X SL and V2X UL have 8 maximum SPS configurations each, while for LAA, up to 32 SPS indexes may be configured. In case one technology is not used by the UE, the size of the MAC CE may be smaller as indicated in the L field in the MAC subheader. The bits for which an SPS index are not assigned are ignored by the UE.

In another embodiment, one octet of new SPS confirmation MAC CE may be used to indicate SPS configurations of different features, e.g. eNB may configure one UE to use Octet 1 to indicate status for V2X SL SPS configurations and feLAA SPS configurations, while configure another UE to use octet 1 to indicate status for V2X SL SPS configurations and V2X UL SPS configurations. There is not necessarily a predefined correlation between a certain bit or octet in SPS Confirmation MAC CE and a certain type of SPS. The correlation may be configured by eNB, via dedicated signaling or shared signaling, via RRC or MAC.

In one example with reference to Figure 12, eNB may configure any bit of S1-S32 to indicate any type of SPS configurations, V2X-SL, V2X-UL, LAA SPS or any other type of SPS.

In another embodiment, the assignment of LAA and V2X bits in MAC-CE may be implicitly derived from the eNB assignment in PDCCH and there is no need to statically configure certain octets for a certain purpose (i.e. LAA, V2X). For example, for a UE that is executing both LAA and V2X (UL/SL), the eNB may assign in the LAA DCI certain SPS indexes, which are different from the SPS indexes assigned for V2X UL and V2X SL. In this way, each bit in the SPS confirmation MAC CE may be exclusively used by the UE to report the SPS status of a certain technology. Therefore, in this case, the design of the MAC CE may look like as the one in Figure 12 where each SPS index might be assigned to any technology.

Consider now the correlation between SPS Indexes. In particular, consider first the correlation between SPS_lndex_DCI and SPS_lndex_MACCE. A procedure of

configure/activate/confirm a V2X UL SPS is shown in Figure 15, in accordance with one or more embodiments herein.

In Step 1 , eNB configures a certain SPS configuration via RRC which specifies the index of SPS to be configured, say SPS_lndex_RRC. E.g. "RRCConnectionReconfgiuration" will be used to configure a SPS, where "sps-Configlndex-r14" (1..8) will be used to specify the index of SPS to be configured. In Step 2, eNB activates/releases a certain SPS configuration via DCI which specifies the index of concerned SPS configuration, say SPS_lndex_DCI. E.g. DCIO will be used to activate/release V2X UL SPS, when the existing field in DCIO "Cyclic shift DM RS (3bits)" will indicate the SPS index to be activated/released.

In Step 3, UE confirms the activation/release of a certain SPS configuration via SPS confirmation MAC CE, when the concerned SPS is specified by a certain bit in SPS confirmation MAC CE, say SPS_lndex_MACCE.

It can be seen that there can be 1-to1 mapping between SPS_lndex_RRC and

SPS_lndex_DCI. But the value range of SPS_lndex_RRC/SPS_lndex_DCI and

SPS_lndex_MACCE may be different. For example, the value range of SPS_lndex_DCI may be (0..7), while the value range of SPS_lndex_MACCE may be (0 .. <octet number in MAC CE>*8- 1).

The mapping/correlation between SPS_lndex_DCI and SPS_lndex_MACCE needs to be known to UE and eNB.

In one embodiment, the correlation between SPS_lndex_RRC/SPS_lndex_DCI and

SPS_lndex_MACCE may be predefined (e.g. in 3GPP standard). In another embodiment, the correlation between SPS_lndex_RRC/SPS_lndex_DCI and SPS_lndex_MACCE may be configured by eNB, via dedicated signaling or shared signaling, via RRC or MAC.

In one example, the correlation between SPS_lndex_DCI and SPS_lndex_MACCE may be configured/predefined as follows (the correlation between SPS_lndex_RRC and

SPS_lndex_MACCE can be similar): (i) SPS confirmation MAC CE may be defined as 6 octets as that in Figure 14; and (ii) In SPS confirmation MAC CE, Octetl may be for V2X UL SPS, Octet2 may be for V2X SL SPS, and octet 3-6 may be for LAA SPS.

As a result, the correlation may be as follows. For V2X UL SPS, the value of Cyclic shift DM RS (3bits) in DCIO indicates the position of the concerned SPS configuration in Octet! The correlation may be as shown in Figure 16A. For V2X SL SPS, the value of "SL SPS

configuration index" in DCI5A indicates the position of concerned SPS configuration in Octet2, such that the correlation may be as shown in Figure 16B. For LAA SPS, the value of LAA SPS index corresponding DCI indicates the position of concerned SPS configuration in Octet3-6, such that the correlation may be as shown in Figure 16C.

Consider now the correlation between SPS_lndex_DCI and SPS_lndex_Global. In one embodiment, a new SPS index, say SPS_lndex_Global, is introduced. SPS_lndex_Global may be unique for a certain UE, i.e. two SPS must have different SPS_lndex_Global. The value range of SPS_lndex_Global may be 1..<max SPS supported regardless SPS type>. E.g. if a system supports up to 8 V2X SL SPS, 8 V2X UL SPS, and 32 V2X SPS, the value range of SPS_lndex_Global is 1..48.

Note that SPS_lndex_DCI, SPS_lndex_Global, and SPS_lndex_MACCE is only a logical construct. Any one them can be supported/implemented by defining a new parameter/IE, or by changing the definition of an existing parameter/IE according to the corresponding definition.

When eNB configures a SPS, it configures both SPS_lndex_DCI and SPS_lndex_Global for this SPS.

In some embodiments, the correlation may be on "group"(8) basis, i.e. per SPS type. In other embodiments, the correlation may be totally flexible, and maybe configured one by one.

In one embodiment, SPS_lndex_Global will be used to specify the bit in SPS

confirmation MAC CE directly, e.g. SPS_lndex_Global i specifies the bit #i SPS confirmation MAC CE.

For example, when the eNB configures a SPS, eNB configures SPS_lndex_DCI=1 , and configures SPS_lndex_Global =9, which implies: (i) when activate this SPS, SPS index 1 will be used in DCI; and (ii) when confirms the activation, the bit #9 SPS confirmation MAC CE will be used.

In another embodiment, a function of SPS_lndex_Global will be used to specify the bit in SPS confirmation MAC CE. For example, the bit #1 indicates the SPS with the smallest

SPS_lndex_Global, the bit #2 indicates the SPS with the second smallest SPS_lndex_Global, and the bit #N indicates the SPS with the Nth smallest SPS_lndex_Global,

Consider an example shown in Figure 17. A UE supports up to 8 V2X SL SPS, 8 V2X UL SPS and 16 LAA SPS (the value range of SPS_lndex_Global is 1..32) At a time, there are the SPS configured as shown in Figure 17. There are totally 5 SPS configured. According to the flexible number of octets embodiment discussed above, SPS confirmation MAC CE includes 1 octet, i.e. 8 bits.

Regarding the SPS with SPS_lndex_Global "6": (i) SPS_lndex_DCI=4, implies when activate this SPS, SPS index 4 will be used in DCI; and (ii) Among all existing

SPS_lndex_Global {3, 6, 17, 20, 32}, 6 is the second smallest value, implies bit #2 in SPS confirmation MAC CE will be used to indicate the status of this SPS.

Note that the LCID 10101 being used by legacy SPS confirmation MAC CE may be reused by the new SPS confirmation MAC CE.

In some embodiments, when LCID is set to 10101 in UL_SCH, the MAC CE may be determined (eNB determines MAC CE to be received and UE determines MAC CE to be transmitted) as follows: if UE does not support any feature requiring more than one SPS configuration, e.g. a legacy UE not supporting V2X and LAA, legacy SPS confirmation MAC CE may be used; if there is only one SPS configured to the UE, legacy SPS confirmation MAC CE may be used; and if there are more than one SPS configured to the UE, new SPS confirmation MAC CE may be used.

Some embodiments herein may avoid problems that may occur if the existing SPS confirmation (designed for legacy LTE) was reused in order to confirm multiple SPS

activation/release. In this regard, the existing SPS confirmation was designed for legacy LTE, where only one SPS configuration is supported. This may not work in Rel.14 where multiple SPS configurations (up to 8 SPS configurations for sidelink and Uu, respectively) can be configured simultaneously.

More specifically, the existing SPS confirmation MAC Control Element has a fixed size of zero bits, i.e. there is no SPS configuration identification carried, which works for legacy LTE SPS with only one SPS configuration.

In case legacy MAC CE were to be reused in order to confirm the multiple SPS activation/release, the following can happen. The could eNB activate/release the SPS configurations sequentially, e.g. every TTI, and then wait for the corresponding MAC CE containing SPS confirmation which in theory should also be received sequentially by the eNB. However, it can happen that some of such expected MAC CEs are not sent/received by the UE because e.g. of message lost, or other MAC CEs with highest priority to be transmitted, or SL prioritization, etc. Therefore, the eNB might not know to which SPS configuration this MAC CE refers to. Alternatively, the eNB could activate/release SPS configurations one by one, i.e. a new SPS activation/release is sent upon reception of the SPS confirmation for the previous SPS activation/release. In this way, the issue above is avoided but latency would be dramatically affected. Given that there are 16 SPS configurations (8 for V2X UL SPS, and 8 for V2X SL SPS), in best case it might likely take more than 120ms to confirm all the SPS configurations. Accordingly, reusing the legacy SPS Confirmation MAC CE would be quite inefficient, since the MAC CE has fixed size of zero bits and there is no SPS configuration identification.

Hence, some embodiments introduce a new SPS confirmation for multiple SPS configurations. In particular, in MAC specification, a new MAC for SPS confirmation may be introduced.

Considering legacy SPS confirmation was defined as MAC CE, the existing SPS confirmation may be extended to take into account the possible 8 SPS configurations for SL and the possible 8 SPS configurations for UL, where each bit in the MAC CE represents one of the possible 8 configurations. Three alternatives can be considered. In alternative 1 , define different MAC CE for UL SPS and SL SPS. In alternative 2, define one MAC CE for both UL SPS and SL SPS with different octets for UL SPS and SL SPS. In alternative 3, define one MAC CE for both UL SPS and SL SPS with octet shared by UL SPS and SL SPS.

Under alternative 1 , two new MAC CEs are defined for UL SPS and SL SPS

respectively. To differentiate with legacy SPS confirmation MAC CE, two new LCIDs need to be defined for these two new MAC CEs. Furthermore, in case the SPS confirmation is used in future for other technologies additional LCIDs might need to be defined accordingly. Alternative 1 may therefore not be future proof if the multiple SPS is used by other features.

Under alternative 2, a new MAC CE will include two octets, one for UL SPS and another for SL SPS. Similar to alternative 1 , one new MAC CE needs to be defined. For those UEs supporting one type of SPS, e.g. supporting UL SPS only, they do not need to report information for SL SPS at all. But with this new MAC CE, UE must report both SL SPS and UL SPS, which leads to unnecessary resource waste. There will be similar problems for UEs supporting both SPS types, but being configured one type of SPS only.

Similar to alternative 1 , to support more SPS, new MAC CE and new LCID needs to be defined. To support more SPS in the future, new MAC CE and new LCID needs to be defined.

Under alternative 3, a new MAC CE will include various numbers of octets depending on the number of SPS configured: If #SPS configurations =1 , it includes zero octet; If 2< #SPS configurations <=8, it includes 1 octet; If 9< #SPS configurations <=16, it includes 2 octets.

When there is only one SPS, the MAC CE is identical to legacy MAC CE, i.e. the solution will provide complete backwards compatibility. As a result, this new MAC CE can reuse LCID 10101 being used by legacy SPS confirmation MAC CE.

It will only report the status of SPS which are configured to UE, without any unnecessary overhead.

It can support a new feature without introducing new MAC CE and new LCID. E.g. to support 8 more SPS, the only needed extension is to add "If 17< SPS number <=24, it includes 3 octets;".

Accordingly, under alternative 3, the existing LCID 10101 used for SPS confirmation can be reused, unnecessary overhead is avoided, and it can be easily extended to support more SPS if needed by new features, without introducing new MAC CE and new LCID.

Some embodiments thereby define one SPS confirmation MAC CE for both UL SPS and SL SPS with octets shared by UL SPS and SL SPS. The number of octets in MAC CE is determined by the number of configured SPS; Each bit in the MAC CE indicates whether the corresponding SPS configuration is in activated or released status; New MAC CE will reuse existing LCID 10101.

Since the MAC CE is shared between UL and SL, and since 8 SPS configurations can be used by SL and UL respectively, it is needed to extend the sps-Configlndex-r14 space from 8 to 16.

Of course, in order to avoid impact on PDCCH, the SPS index space used in DCI format 0 (for UL) and DCI format 5A (for SL) should remain unchanged, i.e. 3 bits. Therefore, it is proposed to introduce a mapping between the sps-Configlndex-r14 and the SPS configuration index used in DCI which should be limited to 8 both for UL (DCI format 0) and SL (DCI format 5A).

Figures 18A and 18B illustrate an SPS confirmation MAC CE according to some embodiments. In particular, if the number of configured SPS configurations is equal to 1 , the SPS confirmation MAC Control Element consists of 0 octets. If the number of configured SPS configurations is higher than 1 and smaller than or equal to 8, the SPS confirmation MAC Control Element consists of 1 octet as shown in Figure 18A. If the number of configured SPS configurations is higher than 8 and smaller than or equal to 16, the SPS confirmation MAC Control Element consists of 2 octets as shown in Figure 18B.

In these embodiments, the SPS confirmation MAC Control Element is defined as follows. If there is an SPS configuration with sps-Config Index i, the B, field indicates the

activation/release status of the SPS configuration with sps-Config Index i, else the MAC entity shall set the Bi field to "0". The Bi field is set to "1" to indicate that the SPS configuration with sps-Config Index i is in activated status. The B, field is set to "0" to indicate that the SPS configuration with sps-Config Index i is in released status.

In some embodiments, the information element (IE) SPS-Config (used to specify the SPS configuration) may include an sps-ConfiglndexDCI-r14 parameter for SPS-ConfigUL and SPS-ConfigSL-r14. The sps-ConfiglndexDCI indicates the UL SPS configuration index to be used in DCI format 0 or the SL SPS configuration index to be used in DCI format 5A to indicate the sps-Config Index. The maxConfigSPS-r14 parameter specifying the maximum number of simultaneous SPS configurations may be set to 16.

In some embodiments, SPS confirmation may take into account the 8 SPS

configurations for SL and the 8 SPS configurations for UL, where each bit in the MAC CE represents one of the configurations. For example, the first octet of the new MAC CE is dedicated to SL SPS, while the second octet is dedicated to UL SPS. That is, some

embodiments Introduce a 2-octet MAC CE where each octet corresponds to either SL SPS or UL SPS, and each bit represents one of the possible 8 SPS configurations for SL SPS and UL SPS.

The example aspects of the disclosure presented below may be included in and/or may add features to one or more embodiments presented in the disclosure above. In some cases, the example aspects of the disclosure presented below form aspects of one or more

embodiments that are at least partially distinct from the one or more embodiments presented above.

Figure 19 schematically illustrates a telecommunication network connected via an intermediate network to a host computer.

With reference to Figure 19, in accordance with an embodiment, a communication system includes a telecommunication network A-10, such as a 3GPP-type cellular network, which comprises an access network A-1 1 , such as a radio access network, and a core network A-14. The access network A-1 1 comprises a plurality of base stations A-12a, A-12b, A-12c, such as NBs, eNBs, gNBs or other types of wireless access points, each defining a

corresponding coverage area A-13a, A-13b, A-13c. In an aspect, any of base stations A-12a, A-12b, A-12c, or any other base stations described herein may be considered to be a network node, for instance, if such as network node is described above in the present Application. Each base station A-12a, A-12b, A-12c is connectable to the core network A-14 over a wired or wireless connection A-15. A first user equipment (UE) A-91 located in coverage area A-13c is configured to wirelessly connect to, or be paged by, the corresponding base station A-12c. A second UE A-92 in coverage area A-13a is wirelessly connectable to the corresponding base station A-12a. While a plurality of UEs A-91 , A-92 are illustrated in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to a situation where a sole UE is in the coverage area or where a sole UE is connecting to the corresponding base station A-12. In an aspect, any of these UEs, or any other UE described herein may be considered to be configured to perform the aspects of any UE, user terminal, client device, or mobile device described above in the present application.

The telecommunication network A-10 is itself connected to a host computer A-30, which may be embodied in the hardware and/or software of a standalone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server or as processing resources in a server farm. The host computer A- 30 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider, or may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. The connections A-21 , A-22 between the telecommunication network A-10 and the host computer A-30 may extend directly from the core network A-14 to the host computer A-30 or may go via an optional intermediate network A-20. The intermediate network A-20 may be one of, or a combination of more than one of, a public, private or hosted network; the intermediate network A-20, if any, may be a backbone network or the Internet; in particular, the intermediate network A-20 may comprise two or more subnetworks (not shown).

The communication system of Figure 19 as a whole enables connectivity between one of the connected UEs A-91 , A-92 and the host computer A-30. The connectivity may be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection A-50. The host computer A-30 and the connected UEs A- 91 , A-92 are configured to communicate data and/or signaling via the OTT connection A-50, using the access network A-11 , the core network A-14, any intermediate network A-20 and possible further infrastructure (not shown) as intermediaries. The OTT connection A-50 may be transparent in the sense that the participating communication devices through which the OTT connection A-50 passes are unaware of routing of uplink and downlink communications. For example, a base station A-12 may not or need not be informed about the past routing of an incoming downlink communication with data originating from a host computer A-30 to be forwarded (e.g., handed over) to a connected UE A-91. Similarly, the base station A-12 need not be aware of the future routing of an outgoing uplink communication originating from the UE A-91 towards the host computer A-30.

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 Figure 20. Figure 20 is a generalized block diagram of a host computer communicating via a base station with a user equipment over a partially wireless connection.

In a communication system B-00, a host computer B-10 comprises hardware B-15 including a communication interface B-16 configured to set up and maintain a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of the communication system B-00. The host computer B-10 further comprises processing circuitry B-18, which may have storage and/or processing capabilities. In particular, the processing circuitry B-18 may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field

programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute

instructions. The host computer B-10 further comprises software B-11 , which is stored in or accessible by the host computer B-10 and executable by the processing circuitry B-18. The software B-1 1 includes a host application B-12. The host application B-12 may be operable to provide a service to a remote user, such as a UE B-30 connecting via an OTT connection B-50 terminating at the UE B-30 and the host computer B-10. In providing the service to the remote user, the host application B-12 may provide user data which is transmitted using the OTT connection B-50.

The communication system B-00 further includes a base station B-20 provided in a telecommunication system and comprising hardware B-25 enabling it to communicate with the host computer B-10 and with the UE B-30. The hardware B-25 may include a communication interface B-26 for setting up and maintaining a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of the communication system B-00, as well as a radio interface B-27 for setting up and maintaining at least a wireless connection B-70 with a UE B-30 located in a coverage area (not shown in Figure 20) served by the base station B-20.

The communication interface B-26 may be configured to facilitate a connection B-60 to the host computer B-10. The connection B-60 may be direct or it may pass through a core network (not shown in Figure 20) of the telecommunication system and/or through one or more intermediate networks outside the telecommunication system. In the embodiment shown, the hardware B-25 of the base station B-20 further includes processing circuitry B-28, which may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute

instructions. The base station B-20 further has software B-21 stored internally or accessible via an external connection.

The communication system B-00 further includes the UE B-30, which has already been referred to above. Its hardware B-35 may include a radio interface B-37 configured to set up and maintain a wireless connection B-70 with a base station serving a coverage area in which the UE B-30 is currently located. The hardware B-35 of the UE B-30 further includes processing circuitry B-38, which may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The UE B-30 further comprises software B-31 , which is stored in or accessible by the UE B-30 and executable by the processing circuitry B-38.

The software B-31 includes a client application B-32. The client application B-32 may be operable to provide a service to a human or non-human user via the UE B-30, with the support of the host computer B-10. In the host computer B-10, an executing host application B-12 may communicate with the executing client application B-32 via the OTT connection B-50 terminating at the UE B-30 and the host computer B-10. In providing the service to the user, the client application B-32 may receive request data from the host application B-12 and provide user data in response to the request data. The OTT connection B-50 may transfer both the request data and the user data. The client application B-32 may interact with the user to generate the user data that it provides.

It is noted that the host computer B-10, base station B-20 and UE B-30 illustrated in Figure 20 may be identical to the host computer A-30, one of the base stations A-12a, A-12b, A- 12c and one of the UEs A-91 , A-92 of Figure 19, respectively. This is to say, the inner workings of these entities may be as shown in Figure 20 and independently, the surrounding network topology may be that of Figure 19.

In Figure 20, the OTT connection B-50 has been drawn abstractly to illustrate the communication between the host computer B-10 and the use equipment B-30 via the base station B-20, without explicit reference to any intermediary devices and the precise routing of messages via these devices. Network infrastructure may determine the routing, which it may be configured to hide from the UE B-30 or from the service provider operating the host computer B- 10, or both. While the OTT connection B-50 is active, the network infrastructure may further take decisions by which it dynamically changes the routing (e.g., on the basis of load balancing consideration or reconfiguration of the network).

The wireless connection B-70 between the UE B-30 and the base station B-20 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 B-30 using the OTT connection B-50, in which the wireless connection B-70 forms the last segment. More precisely, the teachings of these embodiments can improve one or more of data rate, latency, and/or power consumption associated with one or more devices and/or communications of/performed in communication system B-00, and thereby can provide benefits for OTT user data communication, such as one or more of reduced user waiting time, relaxed restriction on file size, better responsiveness, and/or extended battery lifetime.

A measurement procedure may be provided for the purpose of monitoring data rate, latency and other factors on which the one or more embodiments improve. There may further be an optional network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection B-50 between the host computer B-10 and UE B-30, in response to variations in the measurement results. The measurement procedure and/or the network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection B-50 may be implemented in the software B-11 of the host computer B-10 or in the software B- 31 of the UE B-30, or both.

In embodiments, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or in association with communication devices through which the OTT connection B-50 passes; the sensors may participate in the measurement procedure by supplying values of the monitored quantities exemplified above, or supplying values of other physical quantities from which software B-11 , B- 31 may compute or estimate the monitored quantities. The reconfiguring of the OTT connection B-50 may include message format, retransmission settings, preferred routing etc.; the reconfiguring need not affect the base station B-20, and it may be unknown or imperceptible to the base station B-20.

Such procedures and functionalities may be known and practiced in the art. In certain embodiments, measurements may involve proprietary UE signaling facilitating the host computer's B-10 measurements of throughput, propagation times, latency and the like. The measurements may be implemented in that the software B-11 , B-31 causes messages to be transmitted, in particular empty or 'dummy' messages, using the OTT connection B-50 while it monitors propagation times, errors etc.

Figures 21 , 22, 23, and 24 are flowcharts illustrating methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment.

Figure 21 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment.

The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those described with reference to Figures 19 and 20. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Figure 21 will be included in this section. In a first step C- 10 of the method, the host computer provides user data.

In an optional substep C-1 1 of the first step C-10, the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In a second step C-20, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE.

In an optional third step C-30, the base station transmits to the UE the user data which was carried in the transmission that the host computer initiated, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In an optional fourth step C- 40, the UE executes a client application associated with the host application executed by the host computer.

Figure 22 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment.

The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those described with reference to Figures 19 and 20. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Figure 22 will be included in this section. In a first step D- 10 of the method, the host computer provides user data.

In an optional substep (not shown) the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In a second step D-20, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. The transmission may pass via the base station, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In an optional third step D-30, the UE receives the user data carried in the transmission.

Figure 23 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment.

The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those described with reference to Figures 19 and 20. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Figure 23 will be included in this section. In an optional first step E-10 of the method, the UE receives input data provided by the host computer.

Additionally or alternatively, in an optional second step E-20, the UE provides user data. In an optional substep E-21 of the second step E-20, the UE provides the user data by executing a client application. In a further optional substep E-1 1 of the first step E-10, the UE executes a client application which provides the user data in reaction to the received input data provided by the host computer. In providing the user data, the executed client application may further consider user input received from the user. Regardless of the specific manner in which the user data was provided, the UE initiates, in an optional third substep E-30, transmission of the user data to the host computer. In a fourth step E-40 of the method, the host computer receives the user data transmitted from the UE, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure.

Figure 24 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those described with reference to Figures 19 and 20. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Figure 24 will be included in this section. In an optional first step F-10 of the method, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the base station receives user data from the UE. In an optional second step F-20, the base station initiates transmission of the received user data to the host computer. In a third step F-30, the host computer receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the base station.

In view of the above, embodiments herein include a base station configured to communicate with a user equipment (UE), the base station comprising a radio interface and processing circuitry configured to perform aspects of example embodiments described throughout the present disclosure.

Embodiments also include a communication system including a host computer comprising: processing circuitry configured to provide user data; and a communication interface configured to forward the user data to a cellular network for transmission to a user equipment (UE), wherein the cellular network comprises a base station having a radio interface and processing circuitry, the base station's processing circuitry configured to perform aspects of example embodiments described throughout the present disclosure, including aspects related to forwarding the user data to the UE. In some embodiments, the communication system further includes the base station. Alternatively or additionally, the communication system may include the UE wherein the UE is configured to communicate with the base station.

In some embodiments, the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application, thereby providing the user data; and the UE comprises processing circuitry configured to execute a client application associated with the host application.

Embodiments further include a method implemented in a base station, comprising aspects of example embodiments described throughout the present disclosure, including aspects related to transmitting user data to a UE.

Embodiments also include a method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: at the host computer, providing user data; and at the host computer, initiating a transmission carrying the user data to the UE via a cellular network comprising the base station, wherein the base station is configured to perform aspects of example embodiments described throughout the present disclosure, included aspects related to transmitting the user data to the UE. In some

embodiments, the method further comprises, at the base station, transmitting the user data. In some embodiments wherein the user data is provided at the host computer by executing a host application, the method further comprises, at the UE, executing a client application associated with the host application.

Embodiments also include a user equipment (UE) configured to communicate with a base station, the UE comprising a radio interface and processing circuitry configured to perform aspects of example embodiments described throughout the present disclosure, including aspects related to receiving user data from the base station.

Embodiments further include a communication system including a host computer comprising: processing circuitry configured to provide user data; and a communication interface configured to forward user data to a cellular network for transmission to a user equipment (UE), wherein the UE comprises a radio interface and processing circuitry, the UE's processing circuitry configured to perform aspects of example embodiments described throughout the present disclosure, including aspects related to the UE receiving the user data from the base station. In some embodiments, the communication system further includes the UE. In some embodiments the cellular network further includes a base station configured to communicate with the UE. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application, thereby providing the user data; and the UE's processing circuitry is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application.

Embodiments also include a method implemented in a user equipment (UE), comprising aspects of example embodiments described throughout the present disclosure, including aspects related to the UE receiving user data from a base station.

Embodiments also include a method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment (UE), the method comprising at the host computer, providing user data; and at the host computer, initiating a transmission carrying the user data to the UE via a cellular network comprising the base station, wherein the UE is configured to perform aspects of example embodiments described throughout the present disclosure, including aspects related to the UE receiving the user data from the base station. In some embodiments, the method further comprises, at the UE, receiving the user data from the base station.

Embodiments also include a user equipment (UE) configured to communicate with a base station, the UE comprising a radio interface and processing circuitry configured to perform aspects of example embodiments described throughout the present disclosure, including aspects related to the UE transmitting user data to the base station.

Embodiments further include a communication system including a host computer comprising: a communication interface configured to receive user data originating from a transmission from a user equipment (UE) to a base station, wherein the UE comprises a radio interface and processing circuitry, the UE's processing circuitry configured to perform aspects of example embodiments described throughout the present disclosure, including aspects related to the UE transmitting user data to the base station. In some embodiments, the communication system further includes the UE. In some embodiments, the communication system further includes the base station, wherein the base station comprises a radio interface configured to communicate with the UE and a communication interface configured to forward to the host computer the user data carried by a transmission from the UE to the base station. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application; and the UE's processing circuitry is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby providing the user data. Alternatively or

additionally, the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application, thereby providing request data; and the UE's processing circuitry is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby providing the user data in response to the request data.

Embodiments also include a method implemented in a user equipment (UE), comprising aspects of example embodiments described throughout the present disclosure, including aspects related to the UE transmitting user data to a base station. In some embodiments, the method further comprises providing user data; and forwarding the user data to a host computer via the transmission to the base station.

Embodiments further include a method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: at the host computer, receiving user data transmitted to the base station from the UE, wherein the UE is configured to perform aspects of example embodiments described throughout the present disclosure, including aspects related to the UE transmitting user data to the base station. In some embodiments, the method further comprises, at the UE, providing the user data to the base station. In some embodiments, the method further comprises, at the UE, executing a client application, thereby providing the user data to be transmitted; and at the host computer, executing a host application associated with the client application. In some embodiments, the method further comprises, at the UE, executing a client application; and, at the UE, receiving input data to the client application, the input data being provided at the host computer by executing a host application associated with the client application, wherein the user data to be transmitted is provided by the client application in response to the input data.

Embodiments also include a base station configured to communicate with a user equipment (UE), the base station comprising a radio interface and processing circuitry configured to perform aspects of example embodiments described throughout the present disclosure, including aspects related to the base station receiving user data from the UE.

Embodiments further include a communication system including a host computer comprising a communication interface configured to receive user data originating from a transmission from a user equipment (UE) to a base station, wherein the base station comprises a radio interface and processing circuitry, the base station's processing circuitry configured to perform aspects of example embodiments described throughout the present disclosure, including aspects related to the base station receiving user data from the UE. In some embodiments, the communication system further includes the base station. In some

embodiments, the communication system further includes the UE, wherein the UE is configured to communicate with the base station. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application; the UE is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby providing the user data to be received by the host computer.

Embodiments also include a method implemented in a base station, comprising perform aspects of example embodiments described throughout the present disclosure, including aspects related to the base station receiving user data from a user equipment (UE).

Embodiments further include a method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: at the host computer, receiving, from the base station, user data originating from a transmission which the base station has received from the UE, wherein one or both of the base station and the UE are configured to perform aspects of example embodiments described throughout the present disclosure, including aspects related to the base station receiving user data from the UE and/or aspects related to the UE transmitting user data to the base station. In some

embodiments, the method further includes, at the base station, receiving the user data from the UE. In some embodiments, the method further includes, at the base station, initiating a transmission of the received user data to the host computer.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may, of course, be carried out in other ways than those specifically set forth herein without departing from their essential characteristics. The present embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.