TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to communications, and more particularly to communication methods and related devices and nodes supporting wireless communications

BACKGROUND

[0002] 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) New Radio (NR) may be used. Multicast/broadcast features are being developed. For the transmission of the same data to a group of user equipments (UEs) in a radio access network (RAN), the multicast framework has agreed to specify a group physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). This group scheduling is referred to as “point-to-multipoint”, or PTM. The PTM transmission coexists with the classic point to point (PTP) transmission, or unicast transmission, that has been the standard mode of transmission in NR to date.

[0003] Just like PTP, PTM uses Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (ARG) (HARQ) to handle retransmissions. Data is first encoded into a codeword before being modulated and set for transmission. Each transmission is assigned a HARQ process number associated with a UE buffer and when a transmission fails, the UE requests a retransmission via HARQ feedback (ACK or NACK) using a configured physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resource. Alternatively, the network can provision multiple repetition of the transmission over consecutive slots. Multiple slots with the same HARQ process can then be combined by the UE for increased reliability. For efficiency, the standard also specifies that each retransmission can be assigned a redundancy version (RV), so that when the network transmits a given codeword via a given HARQ process, the transmission is done progressively, with the first transmission sending one part of the codeword, the second transmission another, etc. This allows the network to utilize the channel coding efficiently and only transmit what is necessary for the UE to successfully decode the codeword.

SUMMARY

[0004] Some embodiments are directed to methods of operating a User Equipment, UE, in a communication network. Operations corresponding to such methods include receiving a first physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH, scheduling assignment including a first hybrid automatic repeat request, HARQ, process identifier and a second PDSCH scheduling assignment that includes the first HARQ process identifier and determining which of the first PDSCH scheduling assignment, the second PDSCH scheduling assignment, or the first PDSCH scheduling assignment and the second PDSCH scheduling assignment to process.

[0005] Some embodiments are directed to methods of operating a radio access network node, RAN, in a communication network. Operations corresponding to such methods include receiving, from a user equipment, UE, a hybrid automatic repeat request, HARQ, corresponding to a first physical uplink control channel, PUCCH, that is based on the UE processing a first physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH, scheduling assignment including a first hybrid automatic repeat request, HARQ, process identifier and a second PDSCH scheduling assignment that includes the first HARQ process identifier.

[0006] Some embodiments are directed to a communication device that is configured to perform operations discussed herein. Some embodiments are directed to a communication device adapted to perform operations discussed herein.

[0007] Some embodiments are directed to a computer program comprising program code to be executed by processing circuitry of a communication device, whereby execution of the program code causes the communication device to perform operations discussed herein.

[0008] Some embodiments are directed to a computer program product comprising a non-transitory storage medium including program code to be executed by processing circuitry of a communication device, whereby execution of the program code causes the communication device to perform operations discussed herein.

[0009] Some embodiments are directed to a radio access network, RAN, node including a processing circuitry and a memory coupled with the processing circuitry, wherein the memory includes instructions that when executed by the processing circuitry causes the RAN node to perform operations discussed herein.

[0010] Some embodiments are directed to a core network, CN, node including a processing circuitry and memory coupled with the processing circuitry, wherein the memory includes instructions that when executed by the processing circuitry causes the CN node to perform operations discussed herein.

[0011] Advantages of embodiments herein may provide increased flexibility for the network. For example, embodiments may allow the network to schedule a group (PTM) PDSCH and a PTP PDSCH carrying the same information to the same UE. This may reinforce the reliability of the transmission, especially for cases in which the receiving UE experiences difficulty in receiving the group PDSCH. In such cases, the network may target the majority of UEs using PTM and, in parallel, target one or more UEs with PTP retransmissions. The presence of the PTP link may allow the UE to be better targeted with, for example, additional beamforming gain. Embodiments herein may further allow capable UEs to exploit their processing capability to the fullest to enhance the reliability of the transmission by potentially receiving the same information twice in a given time frame and by combining the received transmissions enhance the reception performance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate certain non-limiting embodiments of inventive concepts. In the drawings:

[0013] Figure 1 is a data signal flow diagram according to some embodiments of inventive concepts; [0014] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless device UE according to some embodiments of inventive concepts;

[0015] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating a radio access network RAN node (e.g., a base station eNB/gNB) according to some embodiments of inventive concepts;

[0016] Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating a core network CN node (e.g., an AMF node, an SMF node, etc.) according to some embodiments of inventive concepts;

[0017] Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating operations of a UE according to some embodiments of inventive concepts;

[0018] Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating operations of a network node according to some embodiments of inventive concepts;

[0019] Figure 7 is a block diagram of a wireless network in accordance with some embodiments;

[0020] Figure 8 is a block diagram of a user equipment in accordance with some embodiments

[0021] Figure 9 is a block diagram of a virtualization environment in accordance with some embodiments;

[0022] Figure 10 is a block diagram of a telecommunication network connected via an intermediate network to a host computer in accordance with some embodiments;

[0023] Figure 11 is a block diagram of a host computer communicating via a base station with a user equipment over a partially wireless connection in accordance with some embodiments;

[0024] Figure 12 is a block diagram of methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment in accordance with some embodiments;

[0025] Figure 13 is a block diagram of methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment in accordance with some embodiments;

[0026] Figure 14 is a block diagram of methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment in accordance with some embodiments; and

[0027] Figure 15 is a block diagram of methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Inventive concepts will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which examples of embodiments of inventive concepts are shown. Inventive concepts may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of present inventive concepts to those skilled in the art. It should also be noted that these embodiments are not mutually exclusive. Components from one embodiment may be tacitly assumed to be present/used in another embodiment.

[0029] The following description presents various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. These embodiments are presented as teaching examples and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosed subject matter. For example, certain details of the described embodiments may be modified, omitted, or expanded upon without departing from the scope of the described subject matter.

[0030] Brief reference is now made to Figure 1 , which is a data signal flow diagram according to some embodiments of inventive concepts. A UE may send a message (102) to a network node declaring the UE capability to process multiple PDSCH scheduling assignments that are received in the same HARQ cycle. The UE may receive multiple PDHSC scheduling assignments in the HARQ cycle corresponding to a PTP (104) and a PTM (106). The UE may determine (108) the HARQ process corresponding to the multiple PDHSC scheduling assignments and may determine which HARQ buffer to store the PDHSC scheduling assignment in. The UE may further determine (110) which PUCCH resource to use based on how the PDHSC scheduling assignments are processed. A HARQ feedback message (112) may be sent to the network node.

[0031] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating elements of a communication device UE 200 (also referred to as a mobile terminal, a mobile communication terminal, a wireless device, a wireless communication device, a wireless terminal, mobile device, a wireless communication terminal, user equipment, UE, a user equipment node/terminal/device, etc.) configured to provide wireless communication according to embodiments of inventive concepts. (Communication device 300 may be provided, for example, as discussed below with respect to wireless device 710 of Figure 7, UE 800 of Figure 8, UEs 1091, 1092 of Figure 10, and/or UE 1130 of Figure 11.) As shown, communication device UE may include an antenna 307 (e.g., corresponding to antenna 711 of Figure 7), and transceiver circuitry 201 (also referred to as a transceiver, e.g., corresponding to interface 714 of Figure 7) including a transmitter and a receiver configured to provide uplink and downlink radio communications with a base station(s) (e.g., corresponding to network node 760 of Figure 7, also referred to as a RAN node) of a radio access network. Communication device UE may also include processing circuitry 203 (also referred to as a processor, e.g., corresponding to processing circuitry 720 of Figure 7) coupled to the transceiver circuitry, and memory circuitry 205 (also referred to as memory, e.g., corresponding to device readable medium 730 of Figure 7) coupled to the processing circuitry. The memory circuitry 205 may include computer readable program code that when executed by the processing circuitry 203 causes the processing circuitry to perform operations according to embodiments disclosed herein. According to other embodiments, processing circuitry 203 may be defined to include memory so that separate memory circuitry is not required. Communication device UE may also include an interface (such as a user interface) coupled with processing circuitry 203, and/or communication device UE may be incorporated in a vehicle. [0032] As discussed herein, operations of communication device UE may be performed by processing circuitry 203 and/or transceiver circuitry 201 . For example, processing circuitry 203 may control transceiver circuitry 201 to transmit communications through transceiver circuitry 201 over a radio interface to a radio access network node (also referred to as a base station) and/or to receive communications through transceiver circuitry 201 from a RAN node over a radio interface. Moreover, modules may be stored in memory circuitry 205, and these modules may provide instructions so that when instructions of a module are executed by processing circuitry 203, processing circuitry 203 performs respective operations (e.g., operations discussed below with respect to Example Embodiments relating to wireless communication devices). According to some embodiments, a communication device UE 200 and/or an element(s)/function(s) thereof may be embodied as a virtual node/nodes and/or a virtual machine/machines.

[0033] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating elements of a radio access network RAN node 300 (also referred to as a network node, base station, eNodeB/eNB, gNodeB/gNB, etc.) of a Radio Access Network (RAN) configured to provide cellular communication according to embodiments of inventive concepts. (RAN node

300 may be provided, for example, as discussed below with respect to network node 760 of Figure 7, base stations 1012A, 1012B, 1012C of Figure 10, and/or base station 1120 of Figure 11.) As shown, the RAN node may include transceiver circuitry 301 (also referred to as a transceiver, e.g., corresponding to portions of interface 790 of Figure 7) including a transmitter and a receiver configured to provide uplink and downlink radio communications with mobile terminals. The RAN node may include network interface circuitry 407 (also referred to as a network interface, e.g., corresponding to portions of interface 790 of Figure 7) configured to provide communications with other nodes (e.g., with other base stations) of the RAN and/or core network (CN). The network node may also include processing circuitry 303 (also referred to as a processor, e.g., corresponding to processing circuitry 770 of Figure 7) coupled to the transceiver circuitry, and memory circuitry 305 (also referred to as memory, e.g., corresponding to device readable medium 780 of Figure 7) coupled to the processing circuitry. The memory circuitry 305 may include computer readable program code that when executed by the processing circuitry 303 causes the processing circuitry to perform operations according to embodiments disclosed herein. According to other embodiments, processing circuitry 303 may be defined to include memory so that a separate memory circuitry is not required.

[0034] As discussed herein, operations of the RAN node may be performed by processing circuitry 303, network interface 407, and/or transceiver 301 . For example, processing circuitry 303 may control transceiver

301 to transmit downlink communications through transceiver 301 over a radio interface to one or more mobile terminals UEs and/or to receive uplink communications through transceiver 301 from one or more mobile terminals UEs over a radio interface. Similarly, processing circuitry 303 may control network interface 407 to transmit communications through network interface 407 to one or more other network nodes and/or to receive communications through network interface from one or more other network nodes. Moreover, modules may be stored in memory 305, and these modules may provide instructions so that when instructions of a module are executed by processing circuitry 303, processing circuitry 303 performs respective operations (e.g., operations discussed below with respect to Example Embodiments relating to RAN nodes). According to some embodiments, RAN node 300 and/or an element(s)/function(s) thereof may be embodied as a virtual node/nodes and/or a virtual machine/machines.

[0035] According to some other embodiments, a network node may be implemented as a core network (CN) node without a transceiver. In such embodiments, transmission to a wireless communication device UE may be initiated by the network node so that transmission to the wireless communication device UE is provided through a network node including a transceiver (e.g., through a base station or RAN node). According to embodiments where the network node is a RAN node including a transceiver, initiating transmission may include transmitting through the transceiver.

[0036] Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating elements of a core network (CN) node 400 (e.g., a session management function (SMF) node, an access and mobility management function (AMF) node, etc.) of a communication network configured to provide cellular communication according to embodiments of inventive concepts. As shown, the CN node may include network interface circuitry 407 (also referred to as a network interface) configured to provide communications with other nodes of the core network and/or the radio access network RAN. The CN node may also include a processing circuitry 403 (also referred to as a processor) coupled to the network interface circuitry, and memory circuitry 405 (also referred to as memory) coupled to the processing circuitry. The memory circuitry 405 may include computer readable program code that when executed by the processing circuitry 403 causes the processing circuitry to perform operations according to embodiments disclosed herein. According to other embodiments, processing circuitry 403 may be defined to include memory so that a separate memory circuitry is not required.

[0037] As discussed herein, operations of the CN node may be performed by processing circuitry 403 and/or network interface circuitry 407. For example, processing circuitry 403 may control network interface circuitry 407 to transmit communications through network interface circuitry 407 to one or more other network nodes and/or to receive communications through network interface circuitry from one or more other network nodes. Moreover, modules may be stored in memory 405, and these modules may provide instructions so that when instructions of a module are executed by processing circuitry 403, processing circuitry 403 performs respective operations (e.g., operations discussed below with respect to Example Embodiments relating to core network nodes). According to some embodiments, CN node 400 and/or an element(s)/function(s) thereof may be embodied as a virtual node/nodes and/or a virtual machine/machines.

[0038] In the specification of NR, it was agreed to multiplex unicast and multicast either in time or frequency, so that the two transmission schemes may coexist. This means that a UE may decode in parallel a unicast PDSCH and a multicast PDSCH if it has the capability. If these unicast and multicast transmissions are assigned different HARQ IDs, the UE would receive two different data blocks. But as of current specification, it is not yet decided how the UE should behave if two PDSCH are received with the same HARQ ID. Since each ID maps to a single HARQ buffer in the UE, some issues arise.

[0039] The first issue is to determine which PDSCH should the UE store in its HARQ buffer.

[0040] The second issue to determine is which PUCCH resource should be used to ACK or NACK to the scheduling assignment.

[0041] Thus, if the specification wants to allow the reception of the same HARQ process from two different PDSCH in the same PDSCH-to-HARQ time, some ambiguities should be resolved. Embodiments herein may provide different options to resolve the issue, using a set of behavior rules for the UE or specific RRC configuration.

[0042] Some embodiments provide that when the UE receives two PDSCH scheduling assignments with the same HARQ process number within the same PDSCH-to-HARQ cycle (i.e., the span of time between the reception of the PDSCH and the allocated delay for the UE to process and transmit HARQ feedback for that PDSCH), the UE may follow a rule of priority, and only sends one HARQ feedback. In some embodiments, the rule can be static and be set by specification and/or semi-static and configured by radio resource control (RRC).

[0043] Some embodiments provide that, based on its previously declared processing capability, the UE may transmit HARQ feedback for either or both PDSCHs using separate PUCCH resources. In some embodiments, the network monitors both PUCCH resources and expects to receive at least one feedback.

[0044] Advantages of embodiments herein may provide increased flexibility for the network. For example, embodiments may allow the network to schedule a group (PTM) PDSCH and a PTP PDSCH carrying the same information to the same UE. This may reinforce the reliability of the transmission, especially for cases in which the receiving UE experiences difficulty in receiving the group PDSCH. In such cases, the network may target the majority of UEs using PTM and, in parallel, target one or more UEs with PTP retransmissions. The presence of the PTP link may allow the UE to be better targeted with, for example, additional beamforming gain. Embodiments herein may further allow capable UEs to exploit their processing capability to the fullest to enhance the reliability of the transmission by potentially receiving the same information twice in a given time frame and by combining the received transmissions enhance the reception performance.

[0045] In one embodiment, the UE declares a capability for processing multiple (in this example, two) PDSCHs with the same HARQ process in a given time span. The time span can, for example, be the time between reception of a PDSCH and the time where the UE transmits HARQ feedback for that process, also known as PDSCH-to-HARQ processing time.

[0046] In one embodiment, the UE may be configured to receive multiple PDSCH (in this example, two), using the same HARQ process. This may be done in two ways. The first way is by PDCCH assignment where each PDCCH includes the same HARQ process information. The second way is by configuring semi-persistent scheduling so that the HARQ process used for the PDSCH received via SPS is the same as another PDSCH in the PDSCH-to_HARQ time span.

[0047] In one embodiment, the UE is configured with a HARQ feedback priority list, so that when two or more PDSCH are received with the same HARQ process and the respective HARQ feedbacks are expected to be transmitted within the same PDSCH to-HARQ time span, the UE selects the PUCCH resource with the highest priority to transmit HARQ feedback and is not expected to transmit HARQ feedback for the other PUCCH.

[0048] For example, a UE may be configured to receive a group-common (PTM) PDSCH and a unicast (PTP) PDSCH in the same slot, with the same HARQ process number. The UE may be configured via RRC signalling to prioritize the PTP PUCCH feedback. When transmitting HARQ, the UE drops transmitting HARQ feedback on the PUCCH resource transmission for the PTM PDSCH and is only expected to transmit HARQ feedback using the PTP PUCCH resource. The network will then only monitor the PTP PUCCH.

[0049] In another example, the same behavior is achieved by a rule in specification, where the PUCCH resource for HARQ feedback of unicast (PTP) is always used in the case the UE receives both PTP and a group PDSCH (PTM) with the same HARQ process, and the PUCCH resource for HARQ feedback of PTM is dropped.

[0050] In both of these examples, by implementation, the UE may combine both PDSCHs or discard one of the PDSCHs before decoding and sending HARQ feedback.

[0051] In some embodiments, the UE receives the multiple PDSCHs with the same HARQ process, and based on its own implementation, transmits at least one of the PUCCH resource for HARQ feedback in response. The network monitors all the PUCCH resources configured for the PDSCHs and expect at least one to be received.

[0052] In this example, receiving only one HARQ feedback is sufficient for the network to know whether the UE requires retransmission or not. However, if the UE sends HARQ on multiple resources, the network can use the information to determine the channel quality for each of the PDSCHs. For example, if the UE sends ACK on the PTP PUCCH but NACK on the PTM PUCCH, the network will not retransmit the data, but will know that the channel quality for PTM may not be good enough.

[0053] In this example, by implementation, the UE may combine both PDSCH or discard one of the PDSCH before decoding and send HARQ feedback on one the PUCCH of the UE's choice. In some embodiments, the UE may decide, again by implementation, to decode the PDSCHs separately and send feedback from PUCCH resources for both PDSCHs.

[0054] Based on UE capability to receive more than one PDSCH with the same HARQ process, UE behavior is defined for HARQ feedback for this process, either by having the UE select what resource to use to provide the feedback based on RRC configuration or a priority rule, or by having the network monitor all the PUCCH resources associated with the multiple PDSCHs and expect at least one HARQ feedback. [0055] Operations of the communication device 300 (implemented using the structure of the block diagram of Figure 2) will now be discussed with reference to the flow chart of Figure 5 according to some embodiments of inventive concepts. For example, modules may be stored in memory 205 of Figure 2, and these modules may provide instructions so that when the instructions of a module are executed by respective communication device processing circuitry 203, processing circuitry 203 performs respective operations of the flow chart.

[0056] Reference is now made to Figure 5, which is a flow chart illustrating operations of a UE according to some embodiments of inventive concepts. Operations include receiving (502) a first PDSCH scheduling assignment including a first hybrid automatic repeat request, HARQ, process identifier and a second PDSCH scheduling assignment that includes the first HARQ process identifier. Operations may include determining (504) which of the first PDSCH scheduling assignment, the second PDSCH scheduling assignment, or the first PDSCH scheduling assignment and the second PDSCH scheduling assignment to process.

[0057] In some embodiments, the first and second PDSCH scheduling assignments are received in a same PDSCH-to-HARQ cycle. Some embodiments provide that determining which of the first PDSCH scheduling assignment, the second PDSCH scheduling assignment, or the first PDSCH scheduling assignment and the second PDSCH scheduling assignment to process includes determining a priority that is based on a priority rule. In some embodiments, the priority rule includes a static rule that is predetermined.

[0058] In some embodiments, the priority rule is a semi-static rule that is configured based on a radio resource control, RRC, message.

[0059] Some embodiments provide that determining which of the first PDSCH scheduling assignment, the second PDSCH scheduling assignment, or the first PDSCH scheduling assignment and the second PDSCH scheduling assignment to process includes transmitting, to a network node, HARQ feedback for the first PDSCH using a first physical uplink control channel, PUCCH, and/or a second PDSCH scheduling assignments using a second PUCCH that is different from the first PUCCH.

[0060] Operations may include transmitting (506) that the UE is configured to process multiple PDSCH scheduling assignments with a same HARQ process within a given time span. In some embodiments, the given time span includes a time between receiving a PDSCH scheduling assignment and transmitting a HARQ feedback. In some embodiments, the UE is configured to receive the first and second PDSCH scheduling assignments and each of the first and second PDSCH scheduling assignments includes a same HARQ process.

[0061] In some embodiments, the UE is configured to receive the first and second PDSCH scheduling assignments. In some embodiments, the UE is further configured to include semi-persistent scheduling, wherein a HARQ process for the first PDSCH scheduling assignment received vis SPS is the same as the second PDSCH scheduling assignment in the PDSCH-to-HARQ time span. [0062] Some embodiments provide that the UE is configured to include a HARQ feedback priority list that defines a first priority for the first PSDSCH scheduling assignment and a second priority for the second PDSCH scheduling assignment. In such embodiments, the UE further selects a PUCCH resource with a highest one of the first priority and the second priority. In some embodiments, the UE is not expected to transmit HARQ feedback corresponding to the PUCCH without the highest one of the first priority and the second priority.

[0063] Some embodiments provide that the first PDSCH scheduling assignment is a multi-cast, PTM and the second PDSCH scheduling assignment is a unicast, PTP.

[0064] Operations may include receiving (508), via RRC, configuration information to prioritize a PTP PUCCH. Operations may include dropping (510) a transmission of HARQ of a PTM PUCCH.

[0065] Some embodiments include transmitting (512) the HARQ on more than one PUCCH resources for the network to determine channel quality for PDSCHs associated with the first PDSCH scheduling assignment and PDSCHs associated with the second PDSCH scheduling assignment.

[0066] In some embodiments, operations may include transmitting (514) the HARQ on more than one PUCCH resources to the network that is monitoring all of the PUCCH resources that are configured for HARQ feedback responses and that expects at least one of the HARQ feedback responses to be received.

[0067] In some embodiments, operations include combining (516) both of the PDSCH associated with the first PDSCH scheduling assignment and the PDSCH associated with the second PDSCH scheduling assignment before decoding.

[0068] Some embodiments include discarding (518) one of the first PDSCH scheduling assignment and the second PDSCH scheduling assignment before decoding.

[0069] Some embodiments include decoding (520) each of the first PDSCH scheduling assignment and the second PDSCH scheduling assignment before decoding and transmitting (522) HARQ feedback corresponding to PUCCH resources corresponding to each of the first PDSCH scheduling assignment and the second PDSCH scheduling assignment.

[0070] In some embodiments, determining which of the first PDSCH scheduling assignment, the second PDSCH scheduling assignment, or the first PDSCH scheduling assignment and the second PDSCH scheduling assignment to process includes selecting which PUCCH resource to use. In some embodiments, determining which of the first PDSCH scheduling assignment, the second PDSCH scheduling assignment, or the first PDSCH scheduling assignment and the second PDSCH scheduling assignment to process includes receiving an RRC configuration including which rule to use for selecting which PUCCH resource to use.

[0071] Various operations from the flow chart of Figure 5 may be optional with respect to some embodiments of communication devices and related methods. Regarding methods of Figure 5, for example, operations of blocks 506, 508, 510, 512, 514, 516, 518, 520, and 522 may be optional. [0072] Operations of a RAN node 300 (implemented using the structure of Figure 3) will now be discussed with reference to the flow chart of Figure 6 according to some embodiments of inventive concepts. For example, modules may be stored in memory 305 of Figure 3, and these modules may provide instructions so that when the instructions of a module are executed by respective RAN node processing circuitry 303, processing circuitry 303 performs respective operations of the flow chart.

[0073] Reference is now made to Figure 6, which is a flow chart illustrating operations of a network node according to some embodiments of inventive concepts. Embodiments herein provide that the network node may be a RAN node and/or a core network, CN, node.

[0074] Operations include receiving (602), from a UE, a HARQ corresponding to a first physical uplink control channel, PUCCH, that is based on the UE processing a first PDSCH scheduling assignment including a first HARQ process identifier and a second PDSCH scheduling assignment that includes the first HARQ process identifier. In some embodiments, the first and second PDSCH scheduling assignments are received by the UE in a same PDSCH-to-HARQ cycle.

[0075] Operations include sending (604) a radio resource control, RRC, message to the UE, the RRC. The RRC may include a configuration for determining a priority rule corresponding to which of the first and second PDSCH scheduling assignments are to be processed.

[0076] Some embodiments include receiving (606), from the UE, HARQ feedback for the first PDSCH using a first physical uplink control channel, PUCCH, and/or a second PDSCH scheduling assignments using a second PUCCH that is different from the first PUCCH.

[0077] Operations may include receiving (608) indication that the UE is configured to process multiple PDSCH scheduling assignments with a same HARQ process within a given time span. In some embodiments, the given time span includes a time between the UE receiving a PDSCH scheduling assignment and transmitting a HARQ feedback.

[0078] In some embodiments, the priority rule defines a first priority for the first PSDSCH scheduling assignment and a second priority for the second PDSCH scheduling assignments. Some embodiments provide that a PUCCH resource is selected as a highest one of the first priority and the second priority. In some embodiments, the first PDSCH scheduling assignment is a multi-cast, PTM and the second PDSCH scheduling assignment is a unicast, PTP.

[0079] Operations may include transmitting (610), via RRC, configuration information to prioritize a PTP PUCCH.

[0080] Some embodiments include receiving (612), from the UE, the HARQ on more than one PUCCH resources to determine channel quality for each of the first PDSCH scheduling assignment and the second PDSCH scheduling assignment. [0081] Operations may include receiving (614), from the UE, the HARQ on more than one PUCCH resources to the network and monitoring all of the PUCCH resources that are configured for HARO feedback responses and that expecting at least one of the HARO feedback responses to be received.

[0082] Some embodiments include receiving (616) HARO feedback corresponding to PUCCH resources corresponding to each of the first PDSCH scheduling assignment and the second PDSCH scheduling assignment responsive to the UE decoding each of the first PDSCH scheduling assignment and the second PDSCH scheduling assignment.

[0083] Various operations from the flow chart of Figure 6 may be optional with respect to some embodiments of RAN and/or core network nodes and related methods. Regarding methods of example Figure 6, operations of blocks 604, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614 and 616 may be optional.

[0084] Additional explanation is provided below.

[0085] Generally, all terms used herein are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the relevant technical field, unless a different meaning is clearly given and/or is implied from the context in which it is used. All references to a/an/the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc. are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any methods disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless a step is explicitly described as following or preceding another step and/or where it is implicit that a step must follow or precede another step. Any feature of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment, wherever appropriate. Likewise, any advantage of any of the embodiments may apply to any other embodiments, and vice versa. Other objectives, features and advantages of the enclosed embodiments will be apparent from the following description.

[0086] Some of the embodiments contemplated herein will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other embodiments, however, are contained within the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein, the disclosed subject matter should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

[0087] Figure 7 illustrates a wireless network in accordance with some embodiments.

[0088] Although the subject matter described herein may be implemented in any appropriate type of system using any suitable components, the embodiments disclosed herein are described in relation to a wireless network, such as the example wireless network illustrated in Figure 7. For simplicity, the wireless network of Figure 7 only depicts network 706, network nodes 760 and 760B, and WDs 710, 710B, and 710C (also referred to as mobile terminals). In practice, a wireless network may further include any additional elements suitable to support communication between wireless devices or between a wireless device and another communication device, such as a landline telephone, a service provider, or any other network node or end device. Of the illustrated components, network node 760 and wireless device (WD) 710 are depicted with additional detail. The wireless network may provide communication and other types of services to one or more wireless devices to facilitate the wireless devices' access to and/or use of the services provided by, or via, the wireless network.

[0089] The wireless network may comprise and/or interface with any type of communication, telecommunication, data, cellular, and/or radio network or other similar type of system. In some embodiments, the wireless network may be configured to operate according to specific standards or other types of predefined rules or procedures. Thus, particular embodiments of the wireless network 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 802.11 standards; and/or any other appropriate wireless communication standard, such as the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), Bluetooth, Z-Wave and/or ZigBee standards.

[0090] Network 706 may comprise one or more backhaul networks, core networks, IP networks, public switched telephone networks (PSTNs), packet data networks, optical networks, wide-area networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), wireless local area networks (WLANs), wired networks, wireless networks, metropolitan area networks, and other networks to enable communication between devices.

[0091] Network node 760 and WD 710 comprise various components described in more detail below. These components work together in order to provide network node and/or wireless device functionality, such as providing wireless connections in a wireless network. In different embodiments, the wireless network may comprise any number of wired or wireless networks, network nodes, base stations, controllers, wireless devices, relay stations, and/or any other components or systems that may facilitate or participate in the communication of data and/or signals whether via wired or wireless connections.

[0092] As used herein, network node refers to equipment capable, configured, arranged and/or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with a wireless device and/or with other network nodes or equipment in the wireless network to enable and/or provide wireless access to the wireless device and/or to perform other functions (e.g., administration) in the wireless network. Examples of network nodes include, but are not limited to, access points (APs) (e.g., radio access points), base stations (BSs) (e.g., radio base stations, Node Bs, evolved Node Bs (eNBs) and NR NodeBs (gNBs)). 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. A base station may be a relay node or a relay donor node controlling a relay. A network node may also include 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 station may also be referred to as nodes in a distributed antenna system (DAS). Yet further examples of network nodes include multi-standard radio (MSR) equipment such as MSR BSs, network controllers such as radio network controllers (RNCs) or base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), transmission points, transmission nodes, multi-cell/multicast coordination entities (MCEs), core network nodes (e.g., mobile switching centers (MSCs), mobile management entities (MMEs)), operation and maintenance (O&M) nodes, operations support system (OSS) nodes, self-optimized network (SON) nodes, positioning nodes (e.g., evolved-serving mobile location centers (E-SMLCs)), and/or minimization of drive tests (MDTs). As another example, a network node may be a virtual network node as described in more detail below. More generally, however, network nodes may represent any suitable device (or group of devices) capable, configured, arranged, and/or operable to enable and/or provide a wireless device with access to the wireless network or to provide some service to a wireless device that has accessed the wireless network.

[0093] In Figure 7, network node 760 includes processing circuitry 770, device readable medium 780, interface 790, auxiliary equipment 784, power source 786, power circuitry 787, and antenna 762. Although network node 760 illustrated in the example wireless network of Figure 7 may represent a device that includes the illustrated combination of hardware components, other embodiments may comprise network nodes with different combinations of components. It is to be understood that a network node comprises any suitable combination of hardware and/or software needed to perform the tasks, features, functions and methods disclosed herein. Moreover, while the components of network node 760 are depicted as single boxes located within a larger box, or nested within multiple boxes, in practice, a network node may comprise multiple different physical components that make up a single illustrated component (e.g., device readable medium 780 may comprise multiple separate hard drives as well as multiple RAM modules).

[0094] Similarly, network node 760 may be composed of multiple physically separate components (e.g., a NodeB component and a RNC component, or a BTS component and a BSC component, etc.), which may each have their own respective components. In certain scenarios in which network node 760 comprises multiple separate components (e.g., BTS and BSC components), one or more of the separate components may be shared among several network nodes. For example, a single RNC may control multiple NodeB's. In such a scenario, each unique NodeB and RNC pair, may in some instances be considered a single separate network node. In some embodiments, network node 760 may be configured to support multiple radio access technologies (RATs). In such embodiments, some components may be duplicated (e.g., separate device readable medium 780 for the different RATs) and some components may be reused (e.g., the same antenna 762 may be shared by the RATs). Network node 760 may also include multiple sets of the various illustrated components for different wireless technologies integrated into network node 760, such as, for example, GSM, wide code division multiplexing access (WCDMA), LTE, NR, WiFi, or Bluetooth wireless technologies. These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chip or set of chips and other components within network node 760.

[0095] Processing circuitry 770 is configured to perform any determining, calculating, or similar operations (e.g., certain obtaining operations) described herein as being provided by a network node. These operations performed by processing circuitry 770 may include processing information obtained by processing circuitry 770 by, for example, converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or converted information to information stored in the network node, and/or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or converted information, and as a result of said processing making a determination.

[0096] Processing circuitry 770 may comprise a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software and/or encoded logic operable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other network node 760 components, such as device readable medium 780, network node 760 functionality. For example, processing circuitry 770 may execute instructions stored in device readable medium 780 or in memory within processing circuitry 770. Such functionality may include providing any of the various wireless features, functions, or benefits discussed herein. In some embodiments, processing circuitry 770 may include a system on a chip (SOC).

[0097] In some embodiments, processing circuitry 770 may include one or more of radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 772 and baseband processing circuitry 774. In some embodiments, radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 772 and baseband processing circuitry 774 may be on separate chips (or sets of chips), boards, or units, such as radio units and digital units. In alternative embodiments, part or all of RF transceiver circuitry 772 and baseband processing circuitry 774 may be on the same chip or set of chips, boards, or units

[0098] In certain embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein as being provided by a network node, base station, eNB or other such network device may be performed by processing circuitry 770 executing instructions stored on device readable medium 780 or memory within processing circuitry 770. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality may be provided by processing circuitry 770 without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete device readable medium, such as in a hard-wired manner. In any of those embodiments, whether executing instructions stored on a device readable storage medium or not, processing circuitry 770 can be configured to perform the described functionality. The benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to processing circuitry 770 alone or to other components of network node 760, but are enjoyed by network node 760 as a whole, and/or by end users and the wireless network generally.

[0099] Device readable medium 780 may comprise any form of volatile or non-volatile computer readable memory including, without limitation, persistent storage, solid-state memory, remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), mass storage media (for example, a hard disk), removable storage media (for example, a flash drive, a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and/or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device readable and/or computer-executable memory devices that store information, data, and/or instructions that may be used by processing circuitry 770. Device readable medium 780 may store any suitable instructions, data or information, including a computer program, software, an application including one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, etc. and/or other instructions capable of being executed by processing circuitry 770 and, utilized by network node 760. Device readable medium 780 may be used to store any calculations made by processing circuitry 770 and/or any data received via interface 790. In some embodiments, processing circuitry 770 and device readable medium 780 may be considered to be integrated.

[0100] Interface 790 is used in the wired or wireless communication of signalling and/or data between network node 760, network 706, and/or WDs 710. As illustrated, interface 790 comprises port(s)/terminal(s) 794 to send and receive data, for example to and from network 706 over a wired connection. Interface 790 also includes radio front end circuitry 792 that may be coupled to, or in certain embodiments a part of, antenna 762. Radio front end circuitry 792 comprises filters 798 and amplifiers 796. Radio front end circuitry 792 may be connected to antenna 762 and processing circuitry 770. Radio front end circuitry may be configured to condition signals communicated between antenna 762 and processing circuitry 770. Radio front end circuitry 792 may receive digital data that is to be sent out to other network nodes or WDs via a wireless connection. Radio front end circuitry 792 may convert the digital data into a radio signal having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters 798 and/or amplifiers 796. The radio signal may then be transmitted via antenna 762. Similarly, when receiving data, antenna 762 may collect radio signals which are then converted into digital data by radio front end circuitry 792. The digital data may be passed to processing circuitry 770. In other embodiments, the interface may comprise different components and/or different combinations of components.

[0101] In certain alternative embodiments, network node 760 may not include separate radio front end circuitry 792, instead, processing circuitry 770 may comprise radio front end circuitry and may be connected to antenna 762 without separate radio front end circuitry 792. Similarly, in some embodiments, all or some of RF transceiver circuitry 772 may be considered a part of interface 790. In still other embodiments, interface 790 may include one or more ports or terminals 794, radio front end circuitry 792, and RF transceiver circuitry 772, as part of a radio unit (not shown), and interface 790 may communicate with baseband processing circuitry 774, which is part of a digital unit (not shown).

[0102] Antenna 762 may include one or more antennas, or antenna arrays, configured to send and/or receive wireless signals. Antenna 762 may be coupled to radio front end circuitry 792 and may be any type of antenna capable of transmitting and receiving data and/or signals wirelessly. In some embodiments, antenna 762 may comprise one or more omni-directional, sector or panel antennas operable to transmit/receive radio signals between, for example, 2 GHz and 66 GHz. An omni-directional antenna may be used to transmit/receive radio signals in any direction, a sector antenna may be used to transmit/receive radio signals from devices within a particular area, and a panel antenna may be a line of sight antenna used to transmit/receive radio signals in a relatively straight line. In some instances, the use of more than one antenna may be referred to as Ml MO. In certain embodiments, antenna 762 may be separate from network node 760 and may be connectable to network node 760 through an interface or port. [0103] Antenna 762, interface 790, and/or processing circuitry 770 may be configured to perform any receiving operations and/or certain obtaining operations described herein as being performed by a network node. Any information, data and/or signals may be received from a wireless device, another network node and/or any other network equipment. Similarly, antenna 762, interface 790, and/or processing circuitry 770 may be configured to perform any transmitting operations described herein as being performed by a network node. Any information, data and/or signals may be transmitted to a wireless device, another network node and/or any other network equipment.

[0104] Power circuitry 787 may comprise, or be coupled to, power management circuitry and is configured to supply the components of network node 760 with power for performing the functionality described herein. Power circuitry 787 may receive power from power source 786. Power source 786 and/or power circuitry 787 may be configured to provide power to the various components of network node 760 in a form suitable for the respective components (e.g., at a voltage and current level needed for each respective component). Power source 786 may either be included in, or external to, power circuitry 787 and/or network node 760. For example, network node 760 may be connectable to an external power source (e.g., an electricity outlet) via an input circuitry or interface such as an electrical cable, whereby the external power source supplies power to power circuitry 787. As a further example, power source 786 may comprise a source of power in the form of a battery or battery pack which is connected to, or integrated in, power circuitry 787. The battery may provide backup power should the external power source fail. Other types of power sources, such as photovoltaic devices, may also be used.

[0105] Alternative embodiments of network node 760 may include additional components beyond those shown in Figure 7 that may be responsible for providing certain aspects of the network node's functionality, including any of the functionality described herein and/or any functionality necessary to support the subject matter described herein. For example, network node 760 may include user interface equipment to allow input of information into network node 760 and to allow output of information from network node 760. This may allow a user to perform diagnostic, maintenance, repair, and other administrative functions for network node 760.

[0106] As used herein, wireless device (WD) refers to a device capable, configured, arranged and/or operable to communicate wirelessly with network nodes and/or other wireless devices. Unless otherwise noted, the term WD may be used interchangeably herein with user equipment (UE). Communicating wirelessly may involve transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals using electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared waves, and/or other types of signals suitable for conveying information through air. In some embodiments, a WD may be configured to transmit and/or receive information without direct human interaction. For instance, a WD 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. Examples of a WD include, but are not limited to, a smart phone, a mobile phone, a cell phone, a voice over IP (VoIP) phone, a wireless local loop phone, a desktop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless cameras, a gaming console or device, a music storage device, a playback appliance, a wearable terminal device, a wireless endpoint, a mobile station, a tablet, a laptop, a laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), a laptop-mounted equipment (LME), a smart device, a wireless customer-premise equipment (CPE), a vehicle-mounted wireless terminal device, etc. A WD may support device-to-device (D2D) communication, for example by implementing a 3GPP standard for sidelink communication, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to- infrastructure (V2I), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) and may in this case be referred to as a D2D communication device. As yet another specific example, in an Internet of Things (loT) scenario, a WD 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 WD and/or a network node. The WD may in this case be a machine-to-machine (M2M) device, which may in a 3GPP context be referred to as an MTC device. As one particular example, the WD 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, etc.) personal wearables (e.g., watches, fitness trackers, etc.). In other scenarios, a WD may represent a vehicle or other equipment that is capable of monitoring and/or reporting on its operational status or other functions associated with its operation. A WD 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 WD as described above may be mobile, in which case it may also be referred to as a mobile device or a mobile terminal.

[0107] As illustrated, wireless device 710 includes antenna 711, interface 714, processing circuitry 720, device readable medium 730, user interface equipment 732, auxiliary equipment 734, power source 736 and power circuitry 737. WD 710 may include multiple sets of one or more of the illustrated components for different wireless technologies supported by WD 710, such as, for example, GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, WiFi, WiMAX, or Bluetooth wireless technologies, just to mention a few. These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chips or set of chips as other components within WD 710.

[0108] Antenna 711 may include one or more antennas or antenna arrays, configured to send and/or receive wireless signals, and is connected to interface 714. In certain alternative embodiments, antenna 711 may be separate from WD 710 and be connectable to WD 710 through an interface or port. Antenna 711, interface 714, and/or processing circuitry 720 may be configured to perform any receiving or transmitting operations described herein as being performed by a WD. Any information, data and/or signals may be received from a network node and/or another WD. In some embodiments, radio front end circuitry and/or antenna 711 may be considered an interface.

[0109] As illustrated, interface 714 comprises radio front end circuitry 712 and antenna 711. Radio front end circuitry 712 comprise one or more filters 718 and amplifiers 716. Radio front end circuitry 712 is connected to antenna 711 and processing circuitry 720, and is configured to condition signals communicated between antenna 711 and processing circuitry 720. Radio front end circuitry 712 may be coupled to or a part of antenna 711. In some embodiments, WD 710 may not include separate radio front end circuitry 712; rather, processing circuitry 720 may comprise radio front end circuitry and may be connected to antenna 711. Similarly, in some embodiments, some or all of RF transceiver circuitry 722 may be considered a part of interface 714. Radio front end circuitry 712 may receive digital data that is to be sent out to other network nodes or WDs via a wireless connection. Radio front end circuitry 712 may convert the digital data into a radio signal having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters 718 and/or amplifiers 716. The radio signal may then be transmitted via antenna 711. Similarly, when receiving data, antenna 711 may collect radio signals which are then converted into digital data by radio front end circuitry 712. The digital data may be passed to processing circuitry 720. In other embodiments, the interface may comprise different components and/or different combinations of components.

[0110] Processing circuitry 720 may comprise a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software, and/or encoded logic operable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other WD 710 components, such as device readable medium 730, WD 710 functionality. Such functionality may include providing any of the various wireless features or benefits discussed herein. For example, processing circuitry 720 may execute instructions stored in device readable medium 730 or in memory within processing circuitry 720 to provide the functionality disclosed herein.

[0111] As illustrated, processing circuitry 720 includes one or more of RF transceiver circuitry 722, baseband processing circuitry 724, and application processing circuitry 726. In other embodiments, the processing circuitry may comprise different components and/or different combinations of components. In certain embodiments processing circuitry 720 of WD 710 may comprise a SOC. In some embodiments, RF transceiver circuitry 722, baseband processing circuitry 724, and application processing circuitry 726 may be on separate chips or sets of chips. In alternative embodiments, part or all of baseband processing circuitry 724 and application processing circuitry 726 may be combined into one chip or set of chips, and RF transceiver circuitry 722 may be on a separate chip or set of chips. In still alternative embodiments, part or all of RF transceiver circuitry 722 and baseband processing circuitry 724 may be on the same chip or set of chips, and application processing circuitry 726 may be on a separate chip or set of chips. In yet other alternative embodiments, part or all of RF transceiver circuitry 722, baseband processing circuitry 724, and application processing circuitry 726 may be combined in the same chip or set of chips. In some embodiments, RF transceiver circuitry 722 may be a part of interface 714. RF transceiver circuitry 722 may condition RF signals for processing circuitry 720.

[0112] In certain embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein as being performed by a WD may be provided by processing circuitry 720 executing instructions stored on device readable medium 730, which in certain embodiments may be a computer-readable storage medium. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality may be provided by processing circuitry 720 without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete device readable storage medium, such as in a hard-wired manner. In any of those particular embodiments, whether executing instructions stored on a device readable storage medium or not, processing circuitry 720 can be configured to perform the described functionality. The benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to processing circuitry 720 alone or to other components of WD 710, but are enjoyed by WD 710 as a whole, and/or by end users and the wireless network generally.

[0113] Processing circuitry 720 may be configured to perform any determining, calculating, or similar operations (e.g., certain obtaining operations) described herein as being performed by a WD. These operations, as performed by processing circuitry 720, may include processing information obtained by processing circuitry 720 by, for example, converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or converted information to information stored by WD 710, and/or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or converted information, and as a result of said processing making a determination.

[0114] Device readable medium 730 may be operable to store a computer program, software, an application including one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, etc. and/or other instructions capable of being executed by processing circuitry 720. Device readable medium 730 may include computer memory (e.g., Random Access Memory (RAM) or Read Only Memory (ROM)), mass storage media (e.g., a hard disk), removable storage media (e.g., a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and/or any other volatile or non-volatile, non- transitory device readable and/or computer executable memory devices that store information, data, and/or instructions that may be used by processing circuitry 720. In some embodiments, processing circuitry 720 and device readable medium 730 may be considered to be integrated.

[0115] User interface equipment 732 may provide components that allow for a human user to interact with WD 710. Such interaction may be of many forms, such as visual, audial, tactile, etc. User interface equipment 732 may be operable to produce output to the user and to allow the user to provide input to WD 710. The type of interaction may vary depending on the type of user interface equipment 732 installed in WD 710. For example, if WD 710 is a smart phone, the interaction may be via a touch screen; if WD 710 is a smart meter, the interaction may be through a screen that provides usage (e.g., the number of gallons used) or a speaker that provides an audible alert (e.g., if smoke is detected). User interface equipment 732 may include input interfaces, devices and circuits, and output interfaces, devices and circuits. User interface equipment 732 is configured to allow input of information into WD 710, and is connected to processing circuitry 720 to allow processing circuitry 720 to process the input information. User interface equipment 732 may include, for example, a microphone, a proximity or other sensor, keys/buttons, a touch display, one or more cameras, a USB port, or other input circuitry. User interface equipment 732 is also configured to allow output of information from WD 710, and to allow processing circuitry 720 to output information from WD 710. User interface equipment 732 may include, for example, a speaker, a display, vibrating circuitry, a USB port, a headphone interface, or other output circuitry. Using one or more input and output interfaces, devices, and circuits, of user interface equipment 732, WD 710 may communicate with end users and/or the wireless network, and allow them to benefit from the functionality described herein.

[0116] Auxiliary equipment 734 is operable to provide more specific functionality which may not be generally performed by WDs. This may comprise specialized sensors for doing measurements for various purposes, interfaces for additional types of communication such as wired communications etc. The inclusion and type of components of auxiliary equipment 734 may vary depending on the embodiment and/or scenario.

[0117] Power source 736 may, in some embodiments, be in the form of a battery or battery pack. Other types of power sources, such as an external power source (e.g., an electricity outlet), photovoltaic devices or power cells, may also be used. WD 710 may further comprise power circuitry 737 for delivering power from power source 736 to the various parts of WD 710 which need power from power source 736 to carry out any functionality described or indicated herein. Power circuitry 737 may in certain embodiments comprise power management circuitry. Power circuitry 737 may additionally or alternatively be operable to receive power from an external power source; in which case WD 710 may be connectable to the external power source (such as an electricity outlet) via input circuitry or an interface such as an electrical power cable. Power circuitry 737 may also in certain embodiments be operable to deliver power from an external power source to power source 736. This may be, for example, for the charging of power source 736. Power circuitry 737 may perform any formatting, converting, or other modification to the power from power source 736 to make the power suitable for the respective components of WD 710 to which power is supplied.

[0118] Figure 8 illustrates a user Equipment in accordance with some embodiments.

[0119] Figure 8 illustrates one embodiment of a UE in accordance with various aspects described herein. 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 which may not, or which may not initially, be associated with a specific human user (e.g., a smart sprinkler controller). Alternatively, a UE may represent a device that is not intended for sale to, or operation by, an end user but which may be associated with or operated for the benefit of a user (e.g., a smart power meter). UE 800 may be any UE identified by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), including a NB-loT UE, a machine type communication (MTC) UE, and/or an enhanced MTC (eMTC) UE. UE 800, as illustrated in Figure 8, is one example of a WD configured for communication in accordance with one or more communication standards promulgated by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as 3GPP's GSM, UMTS, LTE, and/or 5G standards. As mentioned previously, the term WD and UE may be used interchangeable. Accordingly, although Figure 8 is a UE, the components discussed herein are equally applicable to a WD, and vice-versa.

[0120] In Figure 8, UE 800 includes processing circuitry 801 that is operatively coupled to input/output interface 805, radio frequency (RF) interface 809, network connection interface 811, memory 815 including random access memory (RAM) 817, read-only memory (ROM) 819, and storage medium 821 or the like, communication subsystem 831, power source 813, and/or any other component, or any combination thereof. Storage medium 821 includes operating system 823, application program 825, and data 827. In other embodiments, storage medium 821 may include other similar types of information. Certain UEs may utilize all of the components shown in Figure 8, or only a subset of the components. The level of integration between the components may vary from one UE to another UE. Further, certain UEs may contain multiple instances of a component, such as multiple processors, memories, transceivers, transmitters, receivers, etc.

[0121] In Figure 8, processing circuitry 801 may be configured to process computer instructions and data. Processing circuitry 801 may be configured to implement any sequential state machine operative to execute machine instructions stored as machine-readable computer programs in the memory, such as one or more hardware- implemented state machines (e.g., in discrete logic, FPGA, ASIC, etc.); programmable logic together with appropriate firmware; one or more stored program, general-purpose processors, such as a microprocessor or Digital Signal Processor (DSP), together with appropriate software; or any combination of the above. For example, the processing circuitry 801 may include two central processing units (CPUs). Data may be information in a form suitable for use by a computer.

[0122] In the depicted embodiment, input/output interface 805 may be configured to provide a communication interface to an input device, output device, or input and output device. UE 800 may be configured to use an output device via input/output interface 805. An output device may use the same type of interface port as an input device. For example, a USB port may be used to provide input to and output from UE 800. The output device may be a speaker, a sound card, a video card, a display, a monitor, a printer, an actuator, an emitter, a smartcard, another output device, or any combination thereof. UE 800 may be configured to use an input device via input/output interface 805 to allow a user to capture information into UE 800. The input device may include a touch-sensitive or presence-sensitive display, a camera (e.g., a digital camera, a digital video camera, a web camera, etc.), a microphone, a sensor, a mouse, a trackball, a directional pad, a trackpad, a scroll wheel, a smartcard, and the like. The presence-sensitive display may include a capacitive or resistive touch sensor to sense input from a user. A sensor may be, for instance, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a tilt sensor, a force sensor, a magnetometer, an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, another like sensor, or any combination thereof. For example, the input device may be an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a digital camera, a microphone, and an optical sensor.

[0123] In Figure 8, RF interface 809 may be configured to provide a communication interface to RF components such as a transmitter, a receiver, and an antenna. Network connection interface 811 may be configured to provide a communication interface to network 843A. Network 843A may encompass wired and/or wireless networks such as a local-area network (LAN), a wide-area network (WAN), a computer network, a wireless network, a telecommunications network, another like network or any combination thereof. For example, network 843A may comprise a Wi-Fi network. Network connection interface 811 may be configured to include a receiver and a transmitter interface used to communicate with one or more other devices over a communication network according to one or more communication protocols, such as Ethernet, TCP/IP, SONET, ATM, or the like. Network connection interface 811 may implement receiver and transmitter functionality appropriate to the communication network links (e.g., optical, electrical, and the like). The transmitter and receiver functions may share circuit components, software or firmware, or alternatively may be implemented separately.

[0124] RAM 817 may be configured to interface via bus 802 to processing circuitry 801 to provide storage or caching of data or computer instructions during the execution of software programs such as the operating system, application programs, and device drivers. ROM 819 may be configured to provide computer instructions or data to processing circuitry 801 . For example, ROM 819 may be configured to store invariant low-level system code or data for basic system functions such as basic input and output (I/O), startup, or reception of keystrokes from a keyboard that are stored in a non-volatile memory. Storage medium 821 may be configured to include memory such as RAM, ROM, programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disks, optical disks, floppy disks, hard disks, removable cartridges, or flash drives. In one example, storage medium 821 may be configured to include operating system 823, application program 825 such as a web browser application, a widget or gadget engine or another application, and data file 827. Storage medium 821 may store, for use by UE 800, any of a variety of various operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

[0125] Storage medium 821 may be configured to include a number of physical drive units, such as redundant array of independent disks (RAID), floppy disk drive, flash memory, USB flash drive, external hard disk drive, thumb drive, pen drive, key drive, high-density digital versatile disc (HD-DVD) optical disc drive, internal hard disk drive, Blu-Ray optical disc drive, holographic digital data storage (HDDS) optical disc drive, external mini-dual inline memory module (DIMM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), external micro-DIMM SDRAM, smartcard memory such as a subscriber identity module or a removable user identity (SIM/RUIM) module, other memory, or any combination thereof. Storage medium 821 may allow UE 800 to access computer-executable instructions, application programs or the like, stored on transitory or non-transitory memory media, to off-load data, or to upload data. An article of manufacture, such as one utilizing a communication system may be tangibly embodied in storage medium 821, which may comprise a device readable medium.

[0126] In Figure 8, processing circuitry 801 may be configured to communicate with network 843B using communication subsystem 831 . Network 4243A and network 4243B may be the same network or networks or different network or networks. Communication subsystem 4231 may be configured to include one or more transceivers used to communicate with network 4243B. For example, communication subsystem 4231 may be configured to include one or more transceivers used to communicate with one or more remote transceivers of another device capable of wireless communication such as another WD, UE, or base station of a radio access network (RAN) according to one or more communication protocols, such as IEEE 802.11, code division multiplexing access (CDMA), WCDMA, GSM, LTE, universal terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN), WiMax, or the like. Each transceiver may include transmitter 4233 and/or receiver 4235 to implement transmitter or receiver functionality, respectively, appropriate to the RAN links (e.g., frequency allocations and the like). Further, transmitter 4233 and receiver 4235 of each transceiver may share circuit components, software or firmware, or alternatively may be implemented separately.

[0127] In the illustrated embodiment, the communication functions of communication subsystem 4231 may include data communication, voice communication, multimedia communication, short-range communications such as Bluetooth, near-field communication, location-based communication such as the use of the global positioning system (GPS) to determine a location, another like communication function, or any combination thereof. For example, communication subsystem 4231 may include cellular communication, Wi-Fi communication, Bluetooth communication, and GPS communication. Network 4243B may encompass wired and/or wireless networks such as a local-area network (LAN), a wide-area network (WAN), a computer network, a wireless network, a telecommunications network, another like network or any combination thereof. For example, network 843B may be a cellular network, a Wi-Fi network, and/or a near-field network. Power source 813 may be configured to provide alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) power to components of UE 800.

[0128] The features, benefits and/or functions described herein may be implemented in one of the components of UE 800 or partitioned across multiple components of UE 800. Further, the features, benefits, and/or functions described herein may be implemented in any combination of hardware, software or firmware. In one example, communication subsystem 831 may be configured to include any of the components described herein. Further, processing circuitry 801 may be configured to communicate with any of such components over bus 802. In another example, any of such components may be represented by program instructions stored in memory that when executed by processing circuitry 801 perform the corresponding functions described herein. In another example, the functionality of any of such components may be partitioned between processing circuitry 801 and communication subsystem 831 . In another example, the non-computationally intensive functions of any of such components may be implemented in software or firmware and the computationally intensive functions may be implemented in hardware.

[0129] Figure 9 illustrates a virtualization environment in accordance with some embodiments.

[0130] Figure 9 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a virtualization environment 900 in which functions implemented by some embodiments may be virtualized. In the present context, virtualizing means creating virtual versions of apparatuses or devices which may include virtualizing hardware platforms, storage devices and networking resources. As used herein, virtualization can be applied to a node (e.g., a virtualized base station or a virtualized radio access node) or to a device (e.g., a UE, a wireless device or any other type of communication device) or components thereof and relates to an implementation in which at least a portion of the functionality is implemented as one or more virtual components (e.g., via one or more applications, components, functions, virtual machines or containers executing on one or more physical processing nodes in one or more networks). [0131] In some embodiments, some or all of the functions described herein may be implemented as virtual components executed by one or more virtual machines implemented in one or more virtual environments 900 hosted by one or more of hardware nodes 930. Further, in embodiments in which the virtual node is not a radio access node or does not require radio connectivity (e.g., a core network node), then the network node may be entirely virtualized.

[0132] The functions may be implemented by one or more applications 920 (which may alternatively be called software instances, virtual appliances, network functions, virtual nodes, virtual network functions, etc.) operative to implement some of the features, functions, and/or benefits of some of the embodiments disclosed herein. Applications 920 are run in virtualization environment 900 which provides hardware 930 comprising processing circuitry 960 and memory 990. Memory 990 contains instructions 995 executable by processing circuitry 960 whereby application 920 is operative to provide one or more of the features, benefits, and/or functions disclosed herein.

[0133] Virtualization environment 900, comprises general-purpose or special-purpose network hardware devices 930 comprising a set of one or more processors or processing circuitry 960, which may be commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) processors, dedicated Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), or any other type of processing circuitry including digital or analog hardware components or special purpose processors. Each hardware device may comprise memory 990-1 which may be non-persistent memory for temporarily storing instructions 995 or software executed by processing circuitry 960. Each hardware device may comprise one or more network interface controllers (NICs) 970, also known as network interface cards, which include physical network interface 980. Each hardware device may also include non-transitory, persistent, machine-readable storage media 990-2 having stored therein software 995 and/or instructions executable by processing circuitry 960. Software 995 may include any type of software including software for instantiating one or more virtualization layers 950 (also referred to as hypervisors), software to execute virtual machines 940 as well as software allowing it to execute functions, features and/or benefits described in relation with some embodiments described herein.

[0134] Virtual machines 940 comprise virtual processing, virtual memory, virtual networking or interface and virtual storage, and may be run by a corresponding virtualization layer 950 or hypervisor. Different embodiments of the instance of virtual appliance 920 may be implemented on one or more of virtual machines 940, and the implementations may be made in different ways.

[0135] During operation, processing circuitry 960 executes software 995 to instantiate the hypervisor or virtualization layer 950, which may sometimes be referred to as a virtual machine monitor (VMM). Virtualization layer 950 may present a virtual operating platform that appears like networking hardware to virtual machine 940.

[0136] As shown in Figure 9, hardware 930 may be a standalone network node with generic or specific components. Hardware 930 may comprise antenna 9225 and may implement some functions via virtualization. Alternatively, hardware 930 may be part of a larger cluster of hardware (e.g., such as in a data center or customer premise equipment (CPE)) where many hardware nodes work together and are managed via management and orchestration (MANO) 9100, which, among others, oversees lifecycle management of applications 920.

[0137] Virtualization of the hardware is in some contexts referred to as network function virtualization (NFV). NFV may be used to consolidate many network equipment types onto industry standard high volume server hardware, physical switches, and physical storage, which can be located in data centers, and customer premise equipment.

[0138] In the context of NFV, virtual machine 940 may be a software implementation of a physical machine that runs programs as if they were executing on a physical, non-virtualized machine. Each of virtual machines 940, and that part of hardware 930 that executes that virtual machine, be it hardware dedicated to that virtual machine and/or hardware shared by that virtual machine with others of the virtual machines 940, forms a separate virtual network elements (VNE).

[0139] Still in the context of NFV, Virtual Network Function (VNF) is responsible for handling specific network functions that run in one or more virtual machines 940 on top of hardware networking infrastructure 930 and corresponds to application 920 in Figure 9.

[0140] In some embodiments, one or more radio units 9200 that each include one or more transmitters 9220 and one or more receivers 9210 may be coupled to one or more antennas 9225. Radio units 9200 may communicate directly with hardware nodes 930 via one or more appropriate network interfaces and may be used in combination with the virtual components to provide a virtual node with radio capabilities, such as a radio access node or a base station.

[0141] In some embodiments, some signalling can be effected with the use of control system 9230 which may alternatively be used for communication between the hardware nodes 930 and radio units 9200.

[0142] Figure 10 illustrates a telecommunication network connected via an intermediate network to a host computer in accordance with some embodiments.

[0143] With reference to Figure 10, in accordance with an embodiment, a communication system includes telecommunication network 1010, such as a 3GPP-type cellular network, which comprises access network 1011, such as a radio access network, and core network 1014. Access network 1011 comprises a plurality of base stations 1012A, 1012B, 1012C, such as NBs, eNBs, gNBs or other types of wireless access points, each defining a corresponding coverage area 1013A, 1013B, 1013C. Each base station 1012A, 1012B, 1012C is connectable to core network 1014 over a wired or wireless connection 1015. A first UE 1091 located in coverage area 1013C is configured to wirelessly connect to, or be paged by, the corresponding base station 1012C. A second UE 1092 in coverage area 1013A is wirelessly connectable to the corresponding base station 1012A. While a plurality of UEs 1091, 1092 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 1012. [0144] Telecommunication network 1010 is itself connected to host computer 1030, 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. Host computer 1030 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. Connections 1021 and 1022 between telecommunication network 1010 and host computer 1030 may extend directly from core network 1014 to host computer 1030 or may go via an optional intermediate network 1020. Intermediate network 1020 may be one of, or a combination of more than one of, a public, private or hosted network; intermediate network 1020, if any, may be a backbone network or the Internet; in particular, intermediate network 1020 may comprise two or more sub-networks (not shown).

[0145] The communication system of Figure 10 as a whole enables connectivity between the connected UEs 1091, 1092 and host computer 1030. The connectivity may be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection 1050. Host computer 1030 and the connected UEs 1091, 1092 are configured to communicate data and/or signaling via OTT connection 1050, using access network 1011, core network 1014, any intermediate network 1020 and possible further infrastructure (not shown) as intermediaries. OTT connection 1050 may be transparent in the sense that the participating communication devices through which OTT connection 1050 passes are unaware of routing of uplink and downlink communications. For example, base station 1012 may not or need not be informed about the past routing of an incoming downlink communication with data originating from host computer 1030 to be forwarded (e.g., handed over) to a connected UE 1091. Similarly, base station 1012 need not be aware of the future routing of an outgoing uplink communication originating from the UE 1091 towards the host computer 1030.

[0146] Figure 11 illustrates a host computer communicating via a base station with a user equipment over a partially wireless connection in accordance with some embodiments.

[0147] 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 11 . In communication system 1100, host computer 1110 comprises hardware 1115 including communication interface 1116 configured to set up and maintain a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of communication system 1100. Host computer 1110 further comprises processing circuitry 1118, which may have storage and/or processing capabilities. In particular, processing circuitry 1118 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. Host computer 1110 further comprises software 1111, which is stored in or accessible by host computer 1110 and executable by processing circuitry 1118. Software 1111 includes host application 1112. Host application 1112 may be operable to provide a service to a remote user, such as UE 1130 connecting via OTT connection 1150 terminating at UE 1130 and host computer 1110. In providing the service to the remote user, host application 1112 may provide user data which is transmitted using OTT connection 1150. [0148] Communication system 1100 further includes base station 1120 provided in a telecommunication system and comprising hardware 1125 enabling it to communicate with host computer 1110 and with UE 1130. Hardware 1125 may include communication interface 1126 for setting up and maintaining a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of communication system 1100, as well as radio interface 1127 for setting up and maintaining at least wireless connection 1170 with UE 1130 located in a coverage area (not shown in Figure 11) served by base station 1120. Communication interface 1126 may be configured to facilitate connection 1160 to host computer 1110. Connection 1160 may be direct or it may pass through a core network (not shown in Figure 11) of the telecommunication system and/or through one or more intermediate networks outside the telecommunication system. In the embodiment shown, hardware 1125 of base station 1120 further includes processing circuitry 1128, 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. Base station 1120 further has software 1121 stored internally or accessible via an external connection.

[0149] Communication system 1100 further includes UE 1130 already referred to. Its hardware 1135 may include radio interface 1137 configured to set up and maintain wireless connection 1170 with a base station serving a coverage area in which UE 1130 is currently located. Hardware 1135 of UE 1130 further includes processing circuitry 1138, 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. UE 1130 further comprises software 1131, which is stored in or accessible by UE 1130 and executable by processing circuitry 1138. Software 1131 includes client application 1132. Client application 1132 may be operable to provide a service to a human or non-human user via UE 1130, with the support of host computer 1110. In host computer 1110, an executing host application 1112 may communicate with the executing client application 1132 via OTT connection 1150 terminating at UE 1130 and host computer 1110. In providing the service to the user, client application 1132 may receive request data from host application 1112 and provide user data in response to the request data. OTT connection 1150 may transfer both the request data and the user data. Client application 1132 may interact with the user to generate the user data that it provides.

[0150] It is noted that host computer 1110, base station 1120 and UE 1130 illustrated in Figure 11 may be similar or identical to host computer 1030, one of base stations 1012A, 1012B, 1012C and one of UEs 1091, 1092 of Figure 10, respectively. This is to say, the inner workings of these entities may be as shown in Figure 11 and independently, the surrounding network topology may be that of Figure 10.

[0151] In Figure 11, OTT connection 1150 has been drawn abstractly to illustrate the communication between host computer 1110 and UE 1130 via base station 1120, 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 UE 1130 or from the service provider operating host computer 1110, or both. While OTT connection 1150 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).

[0152] Wireless connection 1170 between UE 1130 and base station 1120 is in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments may improve the performance of OTT services provided to UE 1130 using OTT connection 1150, in which wireless connection 1170 forms the last segment. More precisely, the teachings of these embodiments may improve the random access speed and/or reduce random access failure rates and thereby provide benefits such as faster and/or more reliable random access.

[0153] 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 OTT connection 1150 between host computer 1110 and UE 1130, in response to variations in the measurement results. The measurement procedure and/or the network functionality for reconfiguring OTT connection 1150 may be implemented in software 1111 and hardware 1115 of host computer

1110 or in software 1131 and hardware 1135 of UE 1130, or both. In embodiments, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or in association with communication devices through which OTT connection 1150 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 1111, 1131 may compute or estimate the monitored quantities. The reconfiguring of OTT connection 1150 may include message format, retransmission settings, preferred routing etc.; the reconfiguring need not affect base station 1120, and it may be unknown or imperceptible to base station 1120. Such procedures and functionalities may be known and practiced in the art. In certain embodiments, measurements may involve proprietary UE signaling facilitating host computer 1110's measurements of throughput, propagation times, latency and the like. The measurements may be implemented in that software

1111 and 1131 causes messages to be transmitted, in particular empty or 'dummy' messages, using OTT connection 1150 while it monitors propagation times, errors etc.

[0154] Figure 12 illustrates methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment in accordance with some embodiments.

[0155] Figure 12 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 10 and 11 . For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Figure 12 will be included in this section. In step 1210, the host computer provides user data. In substep 1211 (which may be optional) of step 1210, the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In step 1220, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. In step 1230 (which may be optional), 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 step 1240 (which may also be optional), the UE executes a client application associated with the host application executed by the host computer.

[0156] Figure 13 illustrates methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment in accordance with some embodiments.

[0157] Figure 13 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 10 and 11 . For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Figure 13 will be included in this section. In step 1310 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 step 1320, 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 step 1330 (which may be optional), the UE receives the user data carried in the transmission.

[0158] Figure 14 illustrates methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment in accordance with some embodiments

[0159] Figure 14 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 10 and 11 . For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Figure 14 will be included in this section. In step 1410 (which may be optional), the UE receives input data provided by the host computer. Additionally or alternatively, in step 1420, the UE provides user data. In substep 1421 (which may be optional) of step 1420, the UE provides the user data by executing a client application. In substep 1411 (which may be optional) of step 1410, 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 substep 1430 (which may be optional), transmission of the user data to the host computer. In step 1440 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.

[0160] Figure 15 illustrates methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment in accordance with some embodiments

[0161] Figure 15 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 10 and 11 . For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Figure 15 will be included in this section. In step 1510 (which may be optional), in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the base station receives user data from the UE. In step 1520 (which may be optional), the base station initiates transmission of the received user data to the host computer. In step 1530 (which may be optional), the host computer receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the base station.

[0162] Any appropriate steps, methods, features, functions, or benefits disclosed herein may be performed through one or more functional units or modules of one or more virtual apparatuses. Each virtual apparatus may comprise a number of these functional units. These functional units may be implemented via processing circuitry, which may include one or more microprocessor or microcontrollers, as well as other digital hardware, which may include digital signal processors (DSPs), special-purpose digital logic, and the like. The processing circuitry may be configured to execute program code stored in memory, which may include one or several types of memory such as read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, etc. Program code stored in memory includes program instructions for executing one or more telecommunications and/or data communications protocols as well as instructions for carrying out one or more of the techniques described herein. In some implementations, the processing circuitry may be used to cause the respective functional unit to perform corresponding functions according one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0163] The term unit may have conventional meaning in the field of electronics, electrical devices and/or electronic devices and may include, for example, electrical and/or electronic circuitry, devices, modules, processors, memories, logic solid state and/or discrete devices, computer programs or instructions for carrying out respective tasks, procedures, computations, outputs, and/or displaying functions, and so on, as such as those that are described herein.

[0164] Further definitions and embodiments are discussed below.

[0165] I n the above-description of various embodiments of present inventive concepts, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of present inventive concepts. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which present inventive concepts belong. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0166] When an element is referred to as being "connected", "coupled", "responsive", or variants thereof to another element, it can be directly connected, coupled, or responsive to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected", "directly coupled", "directly responsive", or variants thereof to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Furthermore, "coupled", "connected", "responsive", or variants thereof as used herein may include wirelessly coupled, connected, or responsive. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity. The term "and/or" (abbreviated “/”) includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0167] It will be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements/operations, these elements/operations should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element/operation from another element/operation. Thus a first element/operation in some embodiments could be termed a second element/operation in other embodiments without departing from the teachings of present inventive concepts. The same reference numerals or the same reference designators denote the same or similar elements throughout the specification.

[0168] As used herein, the terms "comprise", "comprising", "comprises", "include", "including", "includes", "have", "has", "having", or variants thereof are open-ended, and include one or more stated features, integers, elements, steps, components or functions but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, elements, steps, components, functions or groups thereof. Furthermore, as used herein, the common abbreviation "e.g.", which derives from the Latin phrase "exempli gratia," may be used to introduce or specify a general example or examples of a previously mentioned item, and is not intended to be limiting of such item. The common abbreviation "i.e.", which derives from the Latin phrase "id est," may be used to specify a particular item from a more general recitation.

[0169] Example embodiments are described herein with reference to block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations of computer-implemented methods, apparatus (systems and/or devices) and/or computer program products. It is understood that a block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by computer program instructions that are performed by one or more computer circuits. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor circuit of a general purpose computer circuit, special purpose computer circuit, and/or other programmable data processing circuit to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer and/or other programmable data processing apparatus, transform and control transistors, values stored in memory locations, and other hardware components within such circuitry to implement the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block or blocks, and thereby create means (functionality) and/or structure for implementing the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block(s).

[0170] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a tangible computer-readable medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block or blocks. Accordingly, embodiments of present inventive concepts may be embodied in hardware and/or in software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) that runs on a processor such as a digital signal processor, which may collectively be referred to as "circuitry," "a module" or variants thereof.

[0171] It should also be noted that in some alternate implementations, the functions/acts noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the flowcharts. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved. Moreover, the functionality of a given block of the flowcharts and/or block diagrams may be separated into multiple blocks and/or the functionality of two or more blocks of the flowcharts and/or block diagrams may be at least partially integrated. Finally, other blocks may be added/inserted between the blocks that are illustrated, and/or blocks/operations may be omitted without departing from the scope of inventive concepts. Moreover, although some of the diagrams include arrows on communication paths to show a primary direction of communication, it is to be understood that communication may occur in the opposite direction to the depicted arrows.

[0172] Many variations and modifications can be made to the embodiments without substantially departing from the principles of the present inventive concepts. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included herein within the scope of present inventive concepts. Accordingly, the above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the examples of embodiments are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall within the spirit and scope of present inventive concepts. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of present inventive concepts are to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the present disclosure including the examples of embodiments and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.