Abstract: A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is configured to perform a 2-step random access channel (RACH) procedure. The WTRU is configured to select a random access preamble having a preamble index. The WTRU is configured to determine a scrambling sequence for a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission. The scrambling sequence for the PUSCH transmission is initialized as a function of a random access-radio network temporary identifier (RA-RNTI) and the preamble index. The RA-RNTI is based on a symbol, a slot, a frequency, and a carrier identifier (ID). The WTRU is configured to send a message to a network node. The message comprises the selected random access preamble and the PUSCH transmission. The PUSCH transmission is scrambled with the determined scrambling sequence that is based on the RA-RNTI and the preamble index.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for protocol data unit (PDU) session management over different access technologies (ATS) are disclosed. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) may receive a first message from a network over a first access technology. The first message may include an indication for the WTRU to reestablish resources for one or more protocol data unit (PDU) sessions over a second access technology. The WTRU may determine that a PDU session of the one or more PDU sessions is locally deactivated by the WTRU. The WTRU may send a second message via the first access technology. The second message may include a PDU session status information element (IE) indicating the PDU session is locally deactivated such that the network releases the PDU session.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and instrumentalities are described herein for adaptive waveform selection for wireless communication. In examples, the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) may be configured with the orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) initially. If the WTRU, which may support dynamic waveform switch, receives system information blocks (SIBs) from multiple cells where at least one of them supports dynamic waveform switch, the WTRU may prioritize the initial access with the cell(s) that support dynamic waveform switch. If the WTRU supports dynamic waveform switch, the WTRU may send a physical uplink shared channel (RUSCH) in msg3 at a configured grant, which may be offset by a preconfigured number of slots with a waveform that is different from the preconfigured waveform type.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods and apparatuses for providing access to a network slice in a communication system. In an embodiment, a network server that implements a Control Plane (CP) Network Function (NF) may receive a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) message from a wireless transmit and receive unit (WTRU). The NAS message comprises a Mobility Management (MM) message for registration and a Session Management (SM) messages for a specific service provided by the network slice. After selecting the network slice, the network server may transmit the SM message to another CP NF in the network slice to establish a communication link between the WTRU and the network slice.

Abstract: The exchange of resource allocation assistance information between a requester User Equipment (UE) and an assistant UE allows the requester to make better resource allocation decisions. The assistance information may include a blacklist, a whitelist, resource allocation information, a candidate resource set, and measurement information, for example. Both UEs may have an assistance configuration to assist in the exchange of resource allocation assistance information, that may be obtained from a third apparatus, such as a base station. The configuration may include information related to when to trigger assistance, identities of UEs, and types of assistance information, for example. The requester may, based on the assistance information received, modify a candidate resource set at a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer. The requester may, at the MAC layer, determine a configured sidelink grant for a selected destination using assistance information targeting this destination.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for enabling interference avoidance, for example from self and neighboring interference are disclosed. In one representative method implemented in a Wireless Transmit/Receive Unit (WTRU) using time-frequency (TF) resources in first and second directions, the method includes comprising TF resource muting or symbol muting, by the WTRU, one or more TF resources for communication in the first direction based on information associated with a communication in the second direction or subframe shortening, by the WTRU, by one or more TF resources for communication in the first direction based on information associated with a communication in the second direction.

Abstract: A receiver bandwidth adaptation for radio access technologies (RATs) may be for a New Radio (NR) or 5G flexible RAT. A WTRU control channel (e.g., receiver) bandwidth may change, for example, based on monitoring a downlink channel for an indication using a bandwidth (BW) associated with a first BW configuration. The indication may include a signal to change the receiver BW. The WTRU may change the receiver BW associated with the first BW configuration to a second BW configuration when the WTRU receives the indication on a downlink (DL) channel. The WTRU may perform one or more measurements associated with the second BW configuration in response to the change of the receiver BW to the second BW configuration. The WTRU may transmit measurement information to a network entity. The WTRU may receive a DL transmission from the network using the second BW configuration.

Abstract: A wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU) may be configured to receive configuration information from a network regarding a set of spatial filters for the WTRU to use to communicate with the network. Each of the spatial filters may be associated a beam group and/or a measurement resource. The WTRU may further receive downlink control information (DCI) that indicates one or more time periods in which a portion of the set of configured spatial filters may be applicable. Based on the configuration information, the DCI, and/or a measurement, the WTRU may select a spatial filter from the portion of spatial filters to apply in the time period, and the WTRU may perform a communication task in the time period using the selected spatial filter.

Abstract: Switching between Orthogonal Multiple Access (OMA) and Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA) modes of a user equipment (UE) can be determined and indicated by a gNB to a UE at an RRC connected state using one or more of the following schemes: at an RRC (Radio Resource Control) layer with an RRC configuration message, at a MAC (Medium Access Control) layer with MAC CE (MAC control element) signaling, at a PHY (Physical) layer with DCI (Downlink Control Information) signaling, jointly with RRC configuration and DCI signaling, and/or jointly with RRC configuration and MAC CE signaling. The OMA or NOMA mode that the UE operates after the transition may be requested by the UE, indicated by the gNB, and/or may be based on one or more rules for OMA-NOMA switching.

Abstract: A system, method, and device for ensuring a number of Phase Tracking Reference Signal(s) (PT-RSs) are the same for multiple slots. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) may receive control information including a number of scheduled resource blocks (RBs) then determine a PT-RS density based on the number of scheduled RBs. The WTRU may determine a RB offset value for the WTRU based on a WTRU-ID modulo the maximum RB offset value, where the maximum value for the RB offset value may be based on at least one of the number of the scheduled RBs and the PT-RS density. The WTRU may then transmit or receive a signal with PT-RS based on the RB offset value.

Abstract: Systems and method are specified to improve the reception of UL transmission, for example in power or coverage limited situations. A WTRU may modify procedures to increase the available signal energy for reception at an eNB and/or to make more efficient use of the available signal energy at the receiver for processing UL transmissions. Example methods for increasing UL link coverage may include modifying HARQ timing (e.g., shorter HARQ), using longer TTIs, use of dedicated PUSCH allocations, use of new PUSCH modulations, enhanced reference signal design, UL macro diversity reception for PUSCH, utilizing protocol reduction techniques, ensuring in-order packet delivery, and/or utilizing a configuration for coverage limited/power limited modes of operation. The proposed methods may be applied individually or in any combination.

Abstract: A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) may receive first measurement indication information indicating an activation of measurement reporting. The WTRU may determine a first set of resource elements (REs) based on the first measurement indication information. Further, the first set of REs may be associated with measurement-related time and frequency resources. Also, the WTRU may receive one or more measurement-related signals in the indicated first set of REs. Additionally, the WTRU may perform a measurement of each measurement-related signal. The WTRU may transmit, based on the first measurement indication information, a measurement report based on the measurement of each measurement-related signal. Further, the WTRU may receive second measurement indication information indicating a deactivation of measurement reporting.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and instrumentalities are disclosed for interleaving coded bits. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) may generate a plurality of polar encoded bits using polar encoding. The WTRU may divide the plurality of polar encoded bits into sub-blocks of equal size in a sequential manner. The WTRU may apply sub-block wise interleaving to the sub-blocks using an interleaver pattern. The sub-blocks associated with a subset of the sub-blocks may be interleaved, and sub-blocks associated with another subset of the sub-blocks may not be interleaved. The sub-block wise interleaving may include applying interleaving across the sub-blocks without interleaving bits associated with each of the sub-blocks. The WTRU may concatenate bits from each of the interleaved sub-blocks to generate interleaved bits, and store the interleaved bits associated with the interleaved sub-blocks in a circular buffer. The WTRU may select a plurality of bits for transmission from the interleaved bits.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for efficient and robust handling of acknowledgements in new radio unlicensed bands (NR-U) environments. A wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU) may receive control information and a data transmission from a gNB in a first interval (i.e., transport block or channel occupancy time), wherein the control information may include an indication of uplink resources. The data transmission may require some sort of acknowledgement (i.e., HARQ feedback). The WTRU may attempt to transmit the acknowledgement in the indicated uplink resources, but the gNB may not receive the acknowledgement. The WTRU may receive control information and a data transmission from the gNB in a second interval, including an indication to aggregate any previously unsuccessful acknowledgement transmissions. The WTRU may transmit an aggregated acknowledgement including previous unsuccessful acknowledgements and any additional acknowledgements from the current interval.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described herein for configuration of background data transfers (BDTs) between local area data networks (LADNs). An apparatus may receive a message indicating a request from a user equipment (UE) for a data transfer of data originating from the UE. The apparatus may send, to a database, a request for subscription information associated with the UE and a policy profile associated with the UE to determine whether there is an existing BDT policy. The apparatus may receive, from the database, a response indicating whether there is an existing BDT policy that can be re-used. The apparatus may determine, based on the received response, a BDT policy for the data transfer and a LADN to service the data transfer. The apparatus may send, to the LADN via a radio access network (RAN) node, a notification message of an arrival time and data rate for the data transfer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described herein for adapting clear channel assessment (CCA) thresholds with or without Transmit Power Control (TPC) are disclosed. An IEEE 802.11 station (STA) may dynamically calculate a STA specific transmit power control (TPC) value and a STA specific clear channel assessment (CCA) value based on a target TPC parameter and a target CCA parameter. The target TPC parameter and the target CCA parameter may be received from an IEEE 802.11 cluster head configured to control TPC and CCA for a plurality of STAs associated with the BSS. The target TPC parameter and the target CCA parameter also may be related. The STA may then determine whether a carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) wireless medium of a wireless local area network (WLAN) basic service set (BSS) is occupied or idle based on the STA specific CCA value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for power savings in a wireless local area network (WLAN) are disclosed. A station (STA) may receive parameters that associate the STA to a specific group of STAs and perform a channel access during a period that is allowed for the group of STAs based on the parameters. The STA may receive information regarding an access slot that is allowed for the group of STAs and access a channel during the access slot. The STA may receive a schedule for wake up from a doze state and goes in and out of the doze state based on the schedule. A highest channel access priority may be provided to a sensor or meter type of STA. The STA may indicate to an access point (AP) that the STA will not listen to a traffic indication map (TIM) or a delivery TIM (DTIM) in a beacon.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, systems, etc., directed to sounding reference signal (SRS) antenna switching are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a WTRU may transmit information indicating existence of a sounding reference signal (SRS) power imbalance for at least one transmit and receive (xTyR) antenna configuration in a set of xTyR antenna configurations. For example, the WTRU may receive a request to report SRS power imbalance information. For example, the WTRU may transmit the SRS power imbalance information indicating, for at least one SRS resource set associated with the at least one xTyR antenna configuration, (i) one or more impacted SRS resources in the at least one SRS resource set and (ii) one or more power imbalance values for the one or more impacted SRS resources.

Abstract: Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface devices, RIS, may be used to improve receipt of radio signals received by wireless transmit-receive units, WTRUs, in a given area. In such area, WTRUs may receive radio signals directly from the transmitter, and indirectly, via reflection of the radio signals from the transmitter by the RIS device. A RIS may consist of programmable sub-wavelength sized unit cells placed in close proximity. Each unit cell behaves like a scatterer. Embodiments of a new RIS structure are described here, being based on a nearly passive reflecting platform. In a Nearly-Passive RIS structure according to embodiments, NP-RIS, each unit cell is programmed to have a constant invariable phase-shift. Embodiments of a unit cell selection method are described, to control the reflected wave by selecting a subset of unit cells whose reflection could assist coherent alignment of the reflected wave with the main direct signal at the WTRU.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for a wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU) performing relay communications are provided. A method may include receiving a first message indicating: (1) a first security policy associated with a first data link, and (2) a maximum data rate for integrity protection (MDRIP) supported by the remote WTRU; transmitting, to a network, a second message indicating: (1) an MDRIP supported by the remote WTRU or by the relay WTRU, and (2) a request for PDU session establishment; receiving, from the network, a third message indicating a second security policy for a second data link; and establishing the first data link with the remote WTRU on the condition that an end-to-end (e2e) security policy is compatible with the second security policy, wherein the e2e security policy is determined according to the second security policy and a UP security policy of the relay WTRU.