Abstract: A methods and apparatuses for supporting device-to-device (D2D) communication in a wireless network is provided. According to embodiments, during a period where a D2D device 1 (D1) and a D2D device 2 (D2) are available for active D2D communications therebetween and when D2 identifies a need for a second communication with at least one of a base station or a different D2D device, the method includes transmitting, by D2, a D2D communication not available message (DNAM) to D1. The DNAM indicates that one or both of D1 and D2 are unavailable for active D2D communications therebetween. Upon receipt of the DNAM by D1, the method further includes transitioning, by D1, to a listening mode for receiving at least a D2D communication available message (DAM) from D2. The DAM indicates that D1 and D2 are available for active D2D communications therebetween.

Abstract: A methods and apparatuses for supporting device-to-device (D2D) communication in a wireless network is provided. According to embodiments, during a period where a D2D device 1 (D1) and a D2D device 2 (D2) are available for active D2D communications therebetween and when D2 identifies a need for a second communication with at least one of a base station or a different D2D device, the method includes transmitting, by D2, a D2D communication not available message (DNAM) to D1. The DNAM indicates that one or both of D1 and D2 are unavailable for active D2D communications therebetween. Upon receipt of the DNAM by D1, the method further includes transitioning, by D1, to a listening mode for receiving at least a D2D communication available message (DAM) from D2. The DAM indicates that D1 and D2 are available for active D2D communications therebetween.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for resource allocation for half duplex frequency division duplexing in a wireless communication system is provided. Fixed or variable HARQ timing of greater than 5 subframes may be implemented. Acknowledgements for multiple downlink (uplink) transmissions can be bundled into a single acknowledgement transmitted on an uplink (downlink) control channel. Bundled acknowledgements for downlink transmissions may also be provided. Variable lead time cross subframe scheduling may be provided in which the number of subframes of delay between an uplink or downlink grant and the corresponding scheduled uplink or downlink transmission changes based on other scheduled events and/or half-duplex transceiver availability in the appropriate mode. The scheduling may select the earliest available subframe after a minimum delay. Uplink grant bundling may also be performed, in which multiple uplink grants are transmitted via a single grant indication.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses related to a two-step RACH procedure are provided. Channel conditions can be estimated based on a UE PRACH transmission rather than the subsequent PUSCH transmission in the first part of the two-step RACH. A variable length gap can be provided between the PRACH preamble transmission and the PUSCH transmission. Other solutions are also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a method and system for transmitting control information for user equipment. According to embodiments there is provided a method and apparatus for enabling multi-transport block scheduling with time diversity. According to embodiments, there is provided a method and apparatus for managing multi-transport block transmission.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting multi transport block grant (MTBG) data transmission in a wireless communication system, such as an LTE system. The method includes increasing the number of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processes in a HARQ cycle to greater than 8, where the HARQ processes are divided into two or more HARQ process groups. The method further includes specifying a delay indicative of time between the MTBG and commence of the data transmission and another delay indicative of time between the data transmission and acknowledgement (ACK).

Abstract: There is provided a method and user equipment (UE) for supporting device to device (D2D) communication, for example side link communication, of wireless devices. At least one of the source UE or the destination UE is out of synchronization. Side link (SL) communication information (e.g. SL sync signal, SL timing request message, SL-data, special sync signal) may be blindly and repeatedly transmitted until the source UE receives a response from the destination UE.

Abstract: There is provided a method and user equipment for a user equipment (UE) to perform device to device communication, for example sidelink communication. The method includes identifying, by a user equipment (UE), a time opportunity for the sidelink communication. The method further includes upon determination of a need for the sidelink communication, activating, by the UE, the sidelink communication during the time opportunity. In some embodiments, the method further includes the UE transmitting a sidelink availability message. In some embodiments, the time opportunity is at least in part dependent on the mode of operation of the UE.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses related to a two-step RACH procedure are provided. Channel conditions can be estimated based on a UE PRACH transmission rather than the subsequent PUSCH transmission in the first part of the two-step RACH. A variable length gap can be provided between the PRACH preamble transmission and the PUSCH transmission. Other solutions are also provided.

Abstract: There are provided methods for predicting timing advance (TA) with respect to a base station. According to some embodiments, the method includes determining, by a user equipment (UE), a set of TAs, each TA corresponding to a particular distance from the base station and measuring, by the UE, a set of instances of a power metric, each instance of the power metric associated with a respective distance from the base station. The method further includes determining, by the UE, a set of differences between each of the instances of the power metric and determining, by the UE, a new TA at least in part using the set of TAs and the set of differences.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for managing communication characteristics in a wireless network. The method includes obtaining, by the network device, information indicative of operational characteristics of one or more of a configuration of a deployed network, signal strength, network congestion and the network device and determining a degradation associated with each of the one or more of the configuration of the deployed network, the signal strength, the network congestion and the network device, based at least in part on the obtained information. In some embodiments, the method further includes determining an extent of speed degradation based on each of the determined degradations.

Abstract: There is provided a method and system for transmitting control information for user equipment. According to embodiments there is provided a method and apparatus for enabling multi-transport block scheduling with time diversity. According to embodiments, there is provided a method and apparatus for managing multi-transport block transmission.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for supporting device to device communication between a source device and a destination device. The method includes transmitting, by the SRC device, one or more of reference signals, data information and control information (CI) in sub-frames (SFs) between two consecutive special SFs in a time division duplex (TDD) pattern. The method further includes receiving, by the SRC device, one or more of other reference signals, other data information and other CI in other SFs between other two consecutive special SFs in the TDD pattern. The method further includes switching, by the SRC device, operations between downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) in the one of the two consecutive special SFs or one of the other two consecutive special SFs. In the method, each frame of the TDD pattern includes at least two special SFs.

Abstract: There is provided a method and user equipment that enable the evaluation of the validity of a timing advance known to a UE for enabling the UE to transmit using preconfigured uplink resources (PUR). The method includes receiving data enabling determination of a measured change in a reference signal received power by a UE. The UE subsequently determines if the measured change in the RSRP is less than a positive change threshold. If the determination is true, the UE proceeds with the transmission using PUR. In some embodiments, prior to proceeding with the transmission, the UE further evaluates or determines if the measured change in the RSRP is greater than a negative change threshold. The UE will subsequently use PUR for the transmission only if the measured change in the RSRP is greater than a negative change threshold.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses related to a two-step RACH procedure are provided. Channel conditions can be estimated based on a UE PRACH transmission rather than the subsequent PUSCH transmission in the first part of the two-step RACH. A variable length gap can be provided between the PRACH preamble transmission and the PUSCH transmission. Other solutions are also provided.

Abstract: There is provided methods and apparatuses for wireless communication with phase continuity. According to embodiments, a receiving device (e.g. a base transceiver station (BTS), next generation NodeB (gNodeB or gNB)) sends, to a transmitting device (e.g. user equipment (UE)), a request for transmitting data across multiple slots with phase continuity. The transmitting device transmits to the receiving device the data across multiple slots, wherein the transmitting device maintains phase continuity while the data is transmitted. In some embodiments, the receiving device is provided with capability information indicative of whether the transmitting device supports phase continuity during data transmission. In some embodiments, the receiving device determines if the transmitting device has the capability for supporting phase continuity during data transmission. In some embodiments, the receiving device notifies the transmitting device of time duration that the receiving device expects the phase to be continuous.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for a method for initial access of a reduced capability (RedCap) device to a wireless network. The method includes receiving broadcast access permission information and determining an access permission status based on one or more characteristics of the RedCap device and the broadcast access permission information. The method further includes receiving, by the RedCap device, broadcast capability indication configuration information and determining a capability indication configuration based on the broadcast capability indication configuration information. The capability indication configuration is indicative of one or more messages to use for transmission of one or more capabilities of the RedCap device. The method further includes upon determination the access permission status indicates that the RedCap device is permitted to access to the wireless network, transmitting the one or more capabilities of the RedCap device via the one or more messages.

Abstract: There is provided methods and associated base station and user equipment, for facilitating transmissions in a wireless communication system. The mapping between an index and its corresponding HARQ ID or HARQ ID & NDI pair can be done using one or more equations relating the two entities. The equations can be defined in two configurations, one for encoding HARQ ID or HARQ ID & NDI pair and a second for decoding the encoded HARQ ID or HARQ ID & NDI pair to determine the HARQ ID or HARQ ID and NDI.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for paging User Equipment (UE). According to embodiments, repetition of paging can help UEs to more reliably receive pages when they are operating in idle mode DRX, and in particular enhanced idle mode DRX (eDRX). The UE and the eNB are cooperatively configured to determine an eDRX time interval and a value for paging occasion (PO) repetition based on one or more parameters, such as UE mobility requirements; UE power requirements; latency requirements, and timing discrepancies between base stations. The base station transmits pages, and the UE monitors for said pages, with timing that is based on the eDRX time interval and the PO repetition values.

Abstract: There is provided a method and user equipment (UE) for supporting device to device (D2D) communication, for example side link communication, of wireless devices. At least one of the source UE or the destination UE is out of synchronization. Side link (SL) communication information (e.g. SL sync signal, SL timing request message, SL-data, special sync signal) may be blindly and repeatedly transmitted until the source UE receives a response from the destination UE.