TECHNICAL FIELD:

[0001] The teachings in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of this invention relate generally to techniques for the design of scheduling request for NB-IoT and, more specifically, relate to dedicated scheduling requests applicable regardless of whether the scheduling request is based on NPUSCH format 2 or NPRACH.

BACKGROUND:

[0002] This section is intended to provide a background or context to the invention that is recited in the claims. The description herein may include concepts that could be pursued, but are not necessarily ones that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, what is described in this section is not prior art to the description and claims in this application and is not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

[0003] Certain abbreviations that may be found in the description and/or in the

Figures are herewith defined as follows:

3GPP: 3 ^rd generation project partner

LTE: Long term evolution

MTC: Machine type communication

NB-IoT: Narrow band - internet of things

CE: Coverage enhanced

eNB: enhanced Node-B

UE: User equipment

DL: Downlink

UL: Uplink

RRC: Radio resource control PRB: Physical resource block

PDSCH: Physical downlink sharing channel

NPDSCH: Narrowband Physical Downlink Shared Channel

DCI: Downlink control information

PDCCH: Physical downlink control channel

NPDCCH: Narrowband Physical Downlink Control Channel

NPRACH: Narrowband Physical Random Access Channel

NPUSCH Narrowband Physical Uplink Shared Channel

SR: Scheduling request.

[0004] Deployment of Internet of Things (IoT), consisting of devices of various types interconnected for communication is expected to reach a massive scale in the next few years, and wireless connectivity through wide-area networks will be an important component of this future. In 3GPP Rel-13, narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) was introduced to support low-cost, low-power wide-area communications for Internet of Things (IoT).

[0005] The example embodiments of the invention at least work to improve present techniques associated with IoT signaling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

[0006] The foregoing and other aspects of embodiments of this invention are made more evident in the following Detailed Description, when read in conjunction with the attached Drawing Figures, wherein:

[0007] Figure 1 shows a block diagram of an exemplary system in which the example embodiments of the invention may be practiced;

[0008] Figure 2 shows an example of SR configuration tied to UE specific search space;

[0009] Figure 3 shows an example of SR using NPUSCH Format 2; and [0010] Figures 4a and 4b each show a method in accordance with example embodiments of the invention which may be performed by an apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

[0011] In this invention, there is proposed techniques for the design of dedicated scheduling request for NB-IoT.

[0012] As indicated above, deployment of Internet of Things (IoT), consisting of devices of various types interconnected for communication is expected to reach a massive scale in the next few years. 3GPP Rel- 14 enhancements are expected to be completed by June 2017 , while Rel- 15 enhancements are just starting and expected to be completed by June 2018. The objectives of Rel- 15 NB-IoT Work Item Description (WID) are to reduce latency and power consumption, improve measurement accuracy, improve random access reliability and range, provide small cell support, and time-division duplex (TDD) support.

[0013] In Rel- 15 NB-IoT WID (RP- 170852), one objective of the work item is to introduce support for dedicated physical layer scheduling request. In RANl#88bis, it was agreed that -

• SR should only be used when an NB-IoT UE is in uplink sync in RRC connected mode.

• TA estimation should not be a design target of SR signal.

• Sending SR with HARQ ACK/NACK can serve as the baseline case for UE with DL data

• Further designs to be considered for dedicated SR signal design are:

• Based on NPRACH signal;

• Based on NPUSCH format 2:

• Non-coherent detection based format is not precluded

• Collision handling for dedicated SR is FFS

[0014] For dedicated SR design, capacity is important since the eNB must be able to accommodate large number of configured users (although in practice very few users may be sending scheduling requests at any one time). In addition, SR must coexist with legacy UEs that are not aware of this new transmission.

[0015] It has been agreed to base the design for dedicated SR on either NPRACH or NPUSCH format 2 (used to transmit HARQ Acknowledgment). The example embodiments of the invention at least provide techniques for the design of dedicated scheduling request for NB-IoT. In most cases, the techniques in accordance with the embodiments are applicable regardless of whether SR is based on NPUSCH Format 2 or NPRACH.

[0016] The example embodiments of the invention provide at least:

• Method to align SR configuration to NPDCCH search space

• Method to multiplex SR with a legacy NPRACH or with ACK/NACK using the same time-frequency resource

[0017] The key inventive steps in accordance with the example embodiments of the invention include:

• Alignment of SR opportunity with NPDCCH search space by having the periodicity and offset of the SR configuration tied to G, Rmax, and a ₀ ff _S et parameters from search space configuration; and

• Introducing codewords for multiplexing of SR and NPRACH or SR and ACK/NACK where one codeword is reserved for legacy NPRACH/ACK transmission while remaining codewords are used for SR.

[0018] Another embodiment of the invention provides a method to reduce interference between SR repetitions in different cells. In accordance with this embodiment, inter-cell interference is randomized through using either a masking sequence, subcarrier hopping, or code hopping.

[0019] Before describing the example embodiments of the invention in further detail reference is made to Figure 1. Figure 1 shows a block diagram of one possible and non-limiting exemplary system in which the example embodiments may be practiced. In Figure 1, a user equipment (UE) 110 is in wireless communication with a wireless network 100. A UE is a wireless, typically mobile device that can access a wireless network. The UE 110 includes one or more processors 120, one or more memories 125, and one or more transceiver 130 interconnected through one or more buses 127. Each of the one or more transceivers 130 includes a receiver Rx, 132 and a transmitter Tx 133. The one or more buses 127 may be address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, fiber optics or other optical communication equipment, and the like. The one or more transceivers 130 are connected to one or more antennas 128. The one or more memories 125 include computer program code 123. The UE 110 may include an YYY module 140 which is configured to perform the example embodiments of the invention as described herein. The YYY module 140 comprising one of or both parts 140-1 and/or 140-2, which may be implemented in a number of ways. The YYY module 140 may be implemented in hardware as YYY module 140-1, such as being implemented as part of the one or more processors 120. The YYY module 140- 1 may be implemented also as an integrated circuit or through other hardware such as a programmable gate array. In another example, the YYY module 140 may be implemented as YYY module 140-2, which is implemented as computer program code 123 and is executed by the one or more processors 120. For instance, the one or more memories 125 and the computer program code 123 may be configured, with the one or more processors 120, to cause the user equipment 110 to perform one or more of the operations as described herein. The UE 110 communicates with eNB or gNB 170 via a wireless link 111.

[0020] The eNB or gNB 170 (NR/5G Node B or possibly an evolved NB) is a base station (e.g., for LTE, long term evolution) that provides access by wireless devices such as the UE 110 to the wireless network 100. The eNB or gNB 170 includes one or more processors 152, one or more memories 155, one or more network interfaces (N/W I/F(s)) 161, and one or more transceivers 160 interconnected through one or more buses 157. Each of the one or more transceivers 160 includes a receiver Rx 162 and a transmitter Tx 163. The one or more transceivers 160 are connected to one or more antennas 158. The one or more memories 155 include computer program code 153. The eNB or gNB 170 includes a ZZZ module 150 which is configured to perform example embodiments of the invention as described herein. The ZZZ module 150 comprising one of or both parts 150-1 and/or 150-2, which may be implemented in a number of ways. The ZZZ module 150 may be implemented in hardware as ZZZ module 150-1, such as being implemented as part of the one or more processors 152. The ZZZ module 150-1 may be implemented also as an integrated circuit or through other hardware such as a programmable gate array. In another example, the ZZZ module 150 may be implemented as ZZZ module 150-2, which is implemented as computer program code 153 and is executed by the one or more processors 152. For instance, the one or more memories 155 and the computer program code 153 are configured to cause, with the one or more processors 152, the eNB or gNB 170 to perform one or more of the operations as described herein. The one or more network interfaces 161 communicate over a network such as via the links 176 and 131. Two or more eNB or gNB 170 may communicate using, e.g., link 176. The link 176 may be wired or wireless or both and may implement, e.g., an X2 interface.

[0021] The one or more buses 157 may be address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, fiber optics or other optical communication equipment, wireless channels, and the like. For example, the one or more transceivers 160 may be implemented as a remote radio head (RRH) 195, with the other elements of the eNB or gNB 170 being physically in a different location from the RRH, and the one or more buses 157 could be implemented in part as fiber optic cable to connect the other elements of the eNB or gNB 170 to the RRH 195.

[0022] It is noted that description herein indicates that "cells" perform functions, but it should be clear that the eNB or gNB that forms the cell will perform the functions. The cell makes up part of an eNB or gNB. That is, there can be multiple cells per eNB or gNB.

[0023] The wireless network 100 may include a network control element (NCE)

190 that may include MME (Mobility Management Entity)/SGW (Serving Gateway) functionality, and which provides connectivity with a further network, such as a telephone network and/or a data communications network (e.g., the Internet). The eNB or gNB 170 is coupled via a link 131 to the NCE 190. The link 131 may be implemented as, e.g., an S 1 interface. The NCE 190 includes one or more processors 175, one or more memories 171, and one or more network interfaces (N/W I/F(s)) 180, interconnected through one or more buses 185. The one or more memories 171 include computer program code 173. The one or more memories 171 and the computer program code 173 are configured to, with the one or more processors 175, cause the NCE 190 to perform one or more operations such as in accordance with the example embodiments.

[0024] The wireless network 100 may implement network virtualization, which is the process of combining hardware and software network resources and network functionality into a single, software-based administrative entity, a virtual network. Network virtualization involves platform virtualization, often combined with resource virtualization. Network virtualization is categorized as either external, combining many networks, or parts of networks, into a virtual unit, or internal, providing network-like functionality to software containers on a single system. Note that the virtualized entities that result from the network virtualization are still implemented, at some level, using hardware such as processors 152 or 175 and memories 155 and 171, and also such virtualized entities create technical effects.

[0025] The computer readable memories 125, 155, and 171 may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The computer readable memories 125, 155, and 171 may be means for performing storage functions. The processors 120, 152, and 175 may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may include one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on a multi-core processor architecture, as non- limiting examples. The processors 120, 152, and 175 may be means for performing functions, such as controlling the UE 110, eNB or gNB 170, and other functions as described herein.

[0026] The example embodiments of the invention provide techniques for the design of dedicated scheduling request for NB-IoT. In most cases, the techniques are applicable regardless of whether SR is based on NPUSCH Format 2 or NPRACH. Some example embodiments of the invention can be summarized as follows:

• SR configuration is given by periodicity, subcarrier indication, code indication, subframe offset, and number of repetitions:

o The time configuration of the SR is dependent on the UE's control channel search space configurations. The UE's search space is configured using G, Rmax, and a ₀ ff _S et. A search space is a set of aggregated control channel elements where for example aggregation size or level can be 1, 2 control channel element;

o The periodicity is determined based on at least one of the following parameters - G, n and Rmax, where G is higher layer parameter for the search space starting subframe (e.g. npdcch-StartSF-USS) and Rmax is the configured maximum number of repetitions for the NPUSCH or NPRACH, n is scheduling request periodicity adjustment parameter. In general, the search space to be used would be UE-specific search space since SR is only configured when UE is in RRC connected mode. However, it is possible to also use parameters for type-1 NPDCCH common search space or type-2 NPDCCH common search space.

^■ The idea here is to align SR configuration with NPDCCH search space so that SR opportunity occurs just prior to starting subframe following of an NPDCCH search space to reduce scheduling delay.

^■ In one embodiment, the periodicity is given by n*G*Rmax where n is a positive integer value;

o The time offset gives the starting time offset and is determined based on at least one of the following parameters - G and Rmax.

^■ The idea here is to adjust the starting subframe so that it occurs just prior to NPDCCH search space to reduce scheduling delay;

^■ The starting subframe should have sufficient offset to accommodate all the repetitions of the SR before the NPDCCH search space;

^■ In one embodiment, the time offset is given by floor((l/m)*G*Rmax) where m is scheduling request starting subframe offset adjustment factor and is a positive integer value, and is relative to the UE search space;

■ In another embodiment, the time offset is given by an offset parameter _o ffset where _o ffset may be determined based on the offset parameter (e.g. _o ffset = a ₀ ff _se t - R - 4 where R is the number of repetitions configured for SR).

The number of repetitions is determined from the repetition number for NPUSCH Format 2 or NPRACH. In accordance with the embodiments a maximum number of repetitions may be determined by a repetition number associated with a random access channel or uplink data channel. The configuration is provided to the UE via RRC configuration or reconfiguration message.

The UE may indicate to the network whether it supports SR transmission via capability indication.

[0027] An example of one SR configuration is shown in Figure 2. Figure 2 illustrates an example SR configuration tied to UE specific search space. As shown in Figure 2 time configuration of an scheduling request (SR) is dependent on an search space, such as NPDCCH UE specific search space, based on the parameter G*Rmax. The SR periodicity is 2* G*Rmax in the example. Further as shown in Figure 2 there is a starting time offset determined based on the parameter G*Rmax. The resulting SR of Figure 2 is configured just prior to another search space (SS). This SR configuration would be indicated to UE via higher layer signaling, typically as part of RRC configuration.

[0028] Method to multiplex SR with a legacy NPRACH or with ACK/NACK

[0029] In accordance with the example embodiments, code domain multiplexing is used to increase SR capacity and to multiplex SR with ACK/NACK or random access preamble. If NPRACH format is used, one codeword (e.g., all ones) is reserved for use by the legacy NPRACH, and other orthogonal codewords can be assigned to users for SR. This allows multiplexing of SR with NPRACH such that they can share the same time- frequency resource. In addition, SR can be sent using resources reserved for NPRACH. In other embodiments, the SR can be sent using resources that are separate from those reserved for NPRACH. The number of symbol groups from the single NPRACH transmission that are spanned by the SR is configured by the higher layer. In one example embodiment, each code symbol covers all the symbols within a single symbol group and the code spans all four symbol groups. Then, using Walsh-Hadamard codes, 4 orthogonal length-4 codewords are available.

[0030] If NPUSCH Format 2 is used, SR will use orthogonal codes in the complex domain (quadrature modulation) while the ACK/NACK is transmitted in the real domain (in-phase modulation). For example, with a legacy UE if an overlap occurs the UE just sends ACK/NACK normally as the SR would be orthogonal to it. Alternately, it would be up to eNB to avoid this situation (i.e. via scheduling restriction). This allows multiplexing of SR with ACK/NACK such that they can share the same time-frequency resource. In case of SR multiplexing with ACK/NACK from the same UE, the UE will transmit two codes - one ACK/NACK and one for SR. SRs from different UEs can be multiplexed using orthogonal code covers on top of the data symbols together with quadrature-phase modulation. DMRS sequences for different UEs are also selected to be orthogonal. In addition, the eNB may adjust the timing of the ACK/NACK such that it overlaps with potential SR transmission. The preceding embodiments of the invention are not intended to preclude the eNB from scheduling an ACK/NACK and an SR from the same UE in separate time resources.

[0031] An example of code multiplexing using NPUSCH Format 2 is shown in

Figure 3. As shown in Figure 3 there is a NPUSCH Format 2 channel. As shown in Figure 3, 16 UEs (e.g. ref. C0-C15) can be multiplexed together using length- 16 Walsh- Hadamard codes with quadrature -phase modulation, where each code symbol covers one SC-FDMA data symbol. The ACK/NACK is transmitted using BPSK in the real domain and is orthogonal to all the SRs. In addition, for SR multiplexing, the UE is configured with a code by the higher layer.

[0032] In accordance with the example embodiments, for a repetition factor greater than 1 then inter-cell interference randomization is enabled through at least one of the following method(s):

o If NPRACH format is used, two methods are possible using a randomization function that is dependent on cell ID and subframe number. Further:

^■ Scrambling or masking sequence is used on top of each repetition.

^■ Subcarrier hopping is used where different subcarrier will be used for each repetition.

o If NPUSCH Format 2 is used, code hopping or randomization is used where different code will be used for each repetition. Further:

^■ The hopping or randomization function is dependent on cell ID and subframe number.

^■ The hopping or randomization function ensures different code selections for multiplexed SRs in every repetition.

[0033] In accordance with one example embodiment of the invention, only a fraction of the NPRACH or NPUSCH Format 2 resources is used for SR. Different UEs may be assigned different fractions of the NPRACH or NPUSCH Format 2 resources. For instance, NPRACH contains 4 groups of symbols. However, only 2 groups may be needed for SR. In this case, the NPRACH can be used to support 2 SR opportunities multiplexed in time. Code-division multiplexing of multiple SRs can still be performed within each smaller group of symbols. In addition, SR frequency resources may be confined to the edges of the carrier (e.g. either the top or bottom 3 tones of the uplink carrier).

[0034] In case of collision of SR with other transmission from the same UE (e.g.

NPUSCH, NPDCCH, NPRACH):

o Collision with NPRACH/NPUSCH format 1/ NPDSCH/ NPDCCH search space - SR is dropped

o Collision with NPUSCH format 2 - SR is multiplexed with ACK/NACK

[0035] In another example embodiment, the eNB may indicate (e.g. using wake- up signal or channel, or NPDCCH, master information block, system information blocks, higher- layer signalling, or broadcast channel), whether the UE is allowed to transmit an SR in the configured time-frequency resource. This could allow the eNB to avoid potential collisions with ongoing or upcoming PUSCH transmission.

[0036] In accordance with the example embodiments, we provide some techniques for the design of dedicated scheduling request for NB-IoT. In most cases, the techniques are applicable regardless of whether SR is based on NPUSCH Format 2 or NPRACH. The advantages of using the example embodiments of the invention include:

• Alignment of SR opportunity with NPDCCH search space to minimize the delay between SR transmission and eNB scheduling.

• Multiplexing of SR with either ACK/NACK or NPRACH to provide backward compatibility and provide seamless coexistence with ACK/NACK or NPRACH.

• High SR capacity through the use of code multiplexing and fractional NPUSCH/NPRACH resource.

• Built in inter-cell interference randomization.

[0037] Further, reference is made to Figures 4a and 4b which show methods in accordance with example embodiments of the invention that may be performed by an apparatus. These methods as shown in Figures 4a and 4b are not limiting to the example embodiments, and it is noted that operations in accordance with the example embodiments of the invention may be performed using these or different methods.

[0038] Figure 4a illustrates operations which may be performed by a network device such as, but not limited to, a user device e.g., UE 110 as in Figure 1. As shown in step 410 there is preparing, by a user equipment, a scheduling request comprising. As shown in step 420 there is receiving a configuration of a control channel search space for the user equipment. Further, at step 430 there is based on the receiving, determining a dedicated scheduling request opportunity, wherein the determining is aligning the dedicated scheduling request with the control channel search space. Then at step 440 of Figure 4a there is communicating the scheduling request over the dedicated scheduling request opportunity.

[0039] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraph above, the aligning is aligning the dedicated scheduling request opportunity to occur prior to the control channel search space with a configurable time offset.

[0040] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, the determining a dedicated scheduling request opportunity includes receiving a configuration of a scheduling request for the user equipment.

[0041] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, the configuration is using at least one of periodicity, subcarrier indication, code word indication, subframe offset, and number of repetitions.

[0042] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, the periodicity is based on at least one of a maximum number of repetitions Rmax configured for the control channel search space, the control channel search space starting subframe, and scheduling request a periodicity adjustment parameter n where n is a positive integer.

[0043] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, the periodicity is given by n*G*Rmax where n is a positive integer value.

[0044] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, the control channel search space is one of UE-specific, type-1 NPDCCH common search space, or type-2 NPDCCH common search space.

[0045] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, the subframe offset is a starting time offset for the scheduling request relative to the control channel search space.

[0046] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, the starting time offset is based on at least one of a maximum number of repetitions configured for the search space, the control channel search space starting subframe configuration, the control channel search space starting subframe offset, and scheduling request starting subframe offset adjustment factor. [0047] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, the maximum number of repetitions is determined by a repetition number associated with the random access channel or uplink data channel.

[0048] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, the aligning the dedicated scheduling request opportunity to occur just prior to the control channel search space comprises adjusting a starting subframe of the control channel.

[0049] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, the communicating is using code domain multiplexing with other channels.

[0050] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, for a case the scheduling request is based on a design of a Narrowband Physical Random Access Channel (NPRACH) then the multiplexing is using one codeword for the Narrowband Physical Random Access Channel, and other orthogonal codewords for scheduling requests from different users.

[0051] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, for a case the control channel is based on a design of a Narrowband Physical Uplink Shared Channel (NPUSCH) Format 2 the multiplexing is using orthogonal codes in quadrature modulation.

[0052] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, the quadrature modulation comprises in-phase modulation for ACK/NACK and quadrature-phase modulation for scheduling request from a same user.

[0053] A non-transitory computer-readable medium (Memory(ies) 125 of Figure

1) storing program code (Computer Program Code 123 of Figure 1), the program code executed by at least one processor (Processors 120, YYY Module 140-1, and/or YYY Module 140-2 of Figure 1) to perform the operations as at least described in the paragraphs above.

[0054] In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention as described above there is an apparatus comprising: means for preparing (Memory(ies) 125, Computer Program Code 123, and Processors 120, YYY Module 140-1, and/or YYY Module 140-2 of Figure 1), by a user equipment (UE 110 of Figure 1), a scheduling request comprising: receiving (Rx 132 and one or more antennas 128 of Figure 1) a configuration of a control channel search space for the user equipment; based on the receiving, determining a dedicated scheduling request opportunity, wherein the determining is aligning (Memory(ies) 125, Computer Program Code 123, and Processors 120, YYY Module 140-1, and/or YYY Module 140-2 of Figure 1) the dedicated scheduling request with the control channel search space; and communicating (Rx 132, TX 133, and one or more antennas 128 of Figure 1) the scheduling request over the dedicated scheduling request opportunity.

[0055] In the example aspect of the invention according to the paragraph above, wherein at least the means for preparing and determining comprises a non-transitory computer readable medium [Memory(ies) 125] encoded with a computer program [Computer Program Code 123] executable by at least one processor [Processors 120, YYY Module 140-1, and/or YYY Module 140-2 of Figure 1].

[0056] Figure 4b illustrates operations which may be performed by a device such as, but not limited to, a network device (e.g., the eNB or gNB 170 of Figure 1). As shown in step 450 there is determining a configuration of a control channel search space for a user equipment. In step 460 there is sending the configuration of the control channel search space toward the user equipment. Then as shown in step 470 of Figure 4b there is based on the sending, receiving a dedicated scheduling request from the user equipment, wherein the dedicated scheduling request is aligned to occur prior to the control channel search space with a configurable time subframe offset.

[0057] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraph above, the control channel search space is one of UE-specific, type-1 NPDCCH common search space, or type-2 NPDCCH common search space.

[0058] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, the configurable time subframe offset is a starting time offset for the scheduling request relative to the control channel search space.

[0059] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, the starting time offset is based on at least one of a maximum number of repetitions configured for the search space, the control channel search space starting subframe, the control channel search space starting subframe offset, and scheduling request starting subframe offset adjustment factor.

[0060] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, the maximum number of repetitions is determined by a repetition number associated with the random access channel or uplink data channel.

[0061] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, the aligning the dedicated scheduling request to occur prior to the control channel search space is based on an adjustment of a starting subframe of the control channel.

[0062] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, the dedicated scheduling request is received with code domain multiplexing with other channels.

[0063] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, for a case the scheduling request is based on a design of a Narrowband Physical Random Access Channel (NPRACH) then the multiplexing is using one codeword, and other orthogonal codewords for scheduling requests from different users.

[0064] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, for a case the control channel is based on a design of a Narrowband Physical Uplink Shared Channel (NPUSCH) Format 2 the multiplexing is using orthogonal codes in quadrature modulation.

[0065] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, the quadrature modulation comprises in-phase modulation for ACK/NACK and quadrature-phase modulation for scheduling request from a same user.

[0066] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, the network device comprises one of a gNB and an eNB.

[0067] A non-transitory computer-readable medium (Memory(ies) 155 of Figure

1) storing program code (Computer Program Code 153 of Figure 1), the program code executed by at least one processor (Processors 120, ZZZ Module 150-1, and/or ZZZ Module 153 of Figure 1) to perform the operations as at least described in the paragraphs above.

[0068] In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention as described above there is an apparatus comprising: means for determining (Memory(ies) 155, Computer Program Code 153, and Processors 120, ZZZ Module 150-1, and/or ZZZ Module 153 of Figure 1) a configuration of a control channel search space for a user equipment; means for sending (Tx 163 and one or more antennas 158 of Figure 1), by a network device (eNB or gNB of Figure 1), the configuration of the control channel search space toward the user equipment; and means, based on the sending (Rx 162 and one or more antennas 158 of Figure 1), for receiving (Tx 163 and one or more antennas 158 of Figure 1) a dedicated scheduling request from the user equipment, wherein the dedicated scheduling request is aligned to occur prior to the control channel search space with a configurable time subframe offset.

[0069] In the example aspect of the invention according to the paragraph above, wherein at least the means for preparing and determining comprises a non-transitory computer readable medium [Memory(ies) 155] encoded with a computer program [Computer Program Code 153] executable by at least one processor [Processors 120, ZZZ Module 150-1, and/or ZZZ Module 153 of Figure 1]. [0070] In general, the various embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although the invention is not limited thereto. While various aspects of the invention may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0071] Embodiments of the inventions may be practiced in various components such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is by and large a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools are available for converting a logic level design into a semiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate.

[0072] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. All of the embodiments described in this Detailed Description are exemplary embodiments provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention which is defined by the claims.

[0073] The foregoing description has provided by way of exemplary and non- limiting examples a full and informative description of the best method and apparatus presently contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings of this invention will still fall within the scope of this invention. [0074] It should be noted that the terms "connected," "coupled," or any variant thereof, mean any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements, and may encompass the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are "connected" or "coupled" together. The coupling or connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. As employed herein two elements may be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" together by the use of one or more wires, cables and/or printed electrical connections, as well as by the use of electromagnetic energy, such as electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency region, the microwave region and the optical (both visible and invisible) region, as several non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples.

[0075] Furthermore, some of the features of the preferred embodiments of this invention could be used to advantage without the corresponding use of other features. As such, the foregoing description should be considered as merely illustrative of the principles of the invention, and not in limitation thereof.