Abstract: A wireless communication device (12) conditions its use of Preconfigured Uplink Resources (PUR), as preconfigured by a wireless communication network (16), on assessing the validity of a Timing Advance (TA) value used by the device (12) for controlling its uplink transmission timing The device (12) maintains a timer (37) and deems the TA value to be invalid upon expiration of the timer (37). In an example case, a device (12) operating in idle mode performs a PUR-based transmission in dependence on the timer (37) not being expired. A radio network node (10) of the network (16) maintains a like timer (57), to maintain an awareness of TA validity at the device (12) and, for example, sends an updated TA for the device (12) upon receiving a PUR-based transmission from the device (12). The device (12) and the node (10) may refresh their respective timers, in association with the TA update.

Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a method performed by a wireless device comprises sending a Preconfigured Uplink Resources (PUR) transmission to a network node and receiving a response to the PUR transmission from the network node. The method further comprises selecting a type of power control for a subsequent PUR transmission. Selecting the type of power control is based at least in part on the response to the PUR transmission. The method further comprises sending the subsequent PUR transmission according to the selected type of power control.

Abstract: A User Equipment, UE (700), determines paging occasions that are associated with a Narrowband Reference Signal, NRS, from a plurality of paging occasions based on a common timing reference between a Radio Access Network, RAN, node (600) and the UE (700). The RAN node (600) transmits, to the UE (700) the NRS on paging occasions based on the common timing reference.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selecting subcarriers to be used for sub-Physical Resource Block (PRB) transmission and, in some embodiments, for mapping Demodulation Reference Signals (DMRS) to resources on the selected subcarriers are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a radio node for providing sub-PRB transmission comprises selecting two adjacent subcarriers from a set of three allocated subcarriers that are allocated for a sub-PRB transmission that uses Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) Pi/2 Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) modulation using only two adjacent subcarriers out of the set of three allocated subcarriers with Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) spread length of 2. In some embodiments, the selection is such that the selected adjacent subcarriers varies, e.g., from one cell to another. In doing so, interference is distributed.

Abstract: A base station and wireless device are configured to support TDD operation. In exemplary embodiments, the base station or UE can make use of the available symbols in the DwPTS or UpPTS of a special subframe respectively for NB-IoT transmissions. In one example, the base station can use OFDM symbols in the DwPTS to repeat in a predetermined manner some of the symbols transmitted in an immediately preceding downlink subframe, or in a succeeding downlink subframe. In other embodiments, the UE can use symbols in the UpPTS to repeat in a predetermined manner some of the symbols transmitted in the immediately succeeding uplink subframe, or in a preceding uplink subframe. The symbols repeated in the special subframe can be coherently combined at the receiver with corresponding symbols transmitted in a downlink or uplink subframe to improve decoding performance, reduce errors, improve channel estimation, and increase system capacity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for configuring Narrowband Positioning Reference Signals (NPRS) for NB-IoT are provided. A network node generates and transmits NPRS configuration information including a first NPRS bitmap for FDD mode and/or a second NPRS bitmap for TDD mode. A wireless device can determine a NPRS configuration in accordance with the second NPRS bitmap for TDD mode and perform measurements using the NPRS configuration.

Abstract: Methods of operating a network node in a communication network are provided. Operations according to such methods include receiving a transmission that is sent by a user equipment, UE, and that is received over a preconfigured uplink resource, PUR and selecting one or more transmission types for indicating feedback corresponding to the received transmission conditioned to having been successfully received.

Abstract: Random Access (RA) formats are defined for NB-IoT operation in TDD mode. The formats are defined to allow use of the legacy LTE subframe configurations for TDD. The formats specify a predetermined, even number P of symbol groups composing a RA preamble, wherein each symbol group comprises a Cyclic Prefix (CP) and a number X of symbols. The P symbol groups are divided into symbol group sets fitting into 1, or 2, or 3 contiguous uplink subframes, each comprising at least two symbol groups transmitted back-to-back (i.e., contiguously in time), and at least two symbol group sets are transmitted non-contiguously in time across a number of uplink subframes over which the RA preamble is transmitted. The number of symbol groups in a set can be two or three, and the number of symbol groups is four or six, respectively. Symbol groups within a set are transmitted on adjacent uplink subframes. Five format options are defined, which map to various of the LTE TDD configurations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining timing advance (TA) validity are disclosed. In some embodiments, systems and methods are disclosed herein in which a wireless device implicitly considers a TA to be valid in a full cell when no TA validation mechanisms are explicitly configured. In other embodiments, systems and methods are disclosed herein in which a timer serves a dual purpose. If the timer is set to infinity, a wireless device will always consider a TA to be valid within a given cell, and at the same time will disable other TA validation mechanisms. Otherwise, the wireless device will interpret the timer as indicating for how long the TA value that the wireless device possesses is considered to be valid. Benefits of the solutions described herein include reducing signaling bits in the configuration and avoiding the possibility of conflicting configurations.

Abstract: A method, wireless device and network node for supporting sub-physical resource block transmissions over a physical uplink shared channel, PUSCH, are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method includes receiving an indication of a number of resource units to be used for performing sub-PRB transmissions over the PUSCH. The method further includes mapping the number of RUs to a number of physical resource blocks, PRBs and determining a transport block size, TBS, for a sub-PRB transmission over the PUSCH, based on the mapping of the number of RUs to the number of PRBs. The method also includes transmitting sub-PRB transmissions over the PUSCH according to the determined TBS on the number of RUs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for handling transmissions and retransmissions on a periodic preconfigured uplink resource (PUR) are provided. Respective resources for transmission and retransmission can be determined and configured for a wireless device to prevent blocking of a new data transmission on a PUR opportunity by a retransmission attempt. Responsive to determining that a first transmission on the PUR was unsuccessful, a second resource can be configured for the retransmission.

Abstract: A base station and wireless device are configured to support TDD operation. In exemplary embodiments, the base station or UE can make use of the available symbols in the DwPTS or UpPTS of a special subframe respectively for NB-IoT transmissions. In one example, the base station can use OFDM symbols in the DwPTS to repeat in a predetermined manner some of the symbols transmitted in an immediately preceding downlink subframe, or in a succeeding downlink subframe. In other embodiments, the UE can use symbols in the UpPTS to repeat in a predetermined manner some of the symbols transmitted in the immediately succeeding uplink subframe, or in a preceding uplink subframe. The symbols repeated in the special subframe can be coherently combined at the receiver with corresponding symbols transmitted in a downlink or uplink subframe to improve decoding performance, reduce errors, improve channel estimation, and increase system capacity.

Abstract: A network node (200), a wireless device (202) and methods therein, for handling discontinuous transmission, DTX, in a communication using multiple uplink carriers. The communication involves a primary uplink carrier using a first Transmission Time Interval, TTI and a secondary uplink carrier using a second TTI which is different than the first TTI. Values of DTX parameters defined for only one of the first and second TTIs are selected (2:4) for the communication, and the wireless device (202) is instructed (2:7) to use the selected values of DTX parameters for transmission on both the primary uplink carrier and the secondary uplink carrier. Thereby, misalignment of DTX cycles employed on the two uplink carriers can be avoided or reduced.

Abstract: Techniques for facilitating dedicated transmissions over preconfigured uplink resources. Embodiments include techniques to configure subsequent PUR resource utilization (e.g., one-at-a-time basis or on a periodic basis), changes to EDT signaling to allow functioning with PUR, etc. An example method performed by a wireless device configured for use in a wireless communication network includes transmitting (90), in an uplink message, a request for a configuration of preconfigured uplink resources. The method further includes receiving (100), during a connected mode in which the wireless device has a connection with the wireless communication network, control signaling indicating a first preconfigured resource configuration that configures a first preconfigured resource. The method also includes transmitting or receiving (120) user data using the first preconfigured resource.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include methods for transmitting uplink (UL) data, by a user equipment (UE), using preconfigured uplink resources (PUR) in a radio access network (RAN). Such methods include receiving, from a network node in the RAN, a first PUR configuration, and transmitting, based on the first PUR configuration, a first UL data message to the network node Such methods also include receiving, from the network node, a first acknowledgement (PUR ACK) of the first UL data message. The first PUR ACK indicates whether the first UL data message was correctly or incorrectly received by the network node, and includes information related to subsequent UL transmissions using PUR (e.g., a second PUR configuration, a fallback indication, etc.). Some embodiments also include transmitting a second UL data message. Other embodiments include complementary methods performed by a network node, as well as UEs network nodes and UEs configured to perform such methods.

Abstract: A method, network nodes and wireless devices for scheduling transmissions over preconfigured uplink resources (PUR) are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method is performed by a network node for scheduling a plurality of wireless devices with periodic preconfigured uplink shared channel resources. The method includes configuring a wireless device of the plurality of wireless devices with preconfigured uplink resources, PURs, the PURs having a transmission length and a periodicity, the PURs being configured based at least in part on one or more multiplexing criteria for multiplexing the plurality of wireless devices for PUR transmission.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selecting subcarriers to be used for sub-Physical Resource Block (PRB) transmission and, in some embodiments, for mapping Demodulation Reference Signals (DMRS) to resources on the selected subcarriers are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a radio node for providing sub-PRB transmission comprises selecting two adjacent subcarriers from a set of three allocated subcarriers that are allocated for a sub-PRB transmission that uses Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) Pi/2 Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) modulation using only two adjacent subcarriers out of the set of three allocated subcarriers with Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) spread length of 2. In some embodiments, the selection is such that the selected adjacent subcarriers varies, e.g., from one cell to another. In doing so, interference is distributed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling uplink (UL) power allocation in a user equipment (UE) operating in a communication network are provided. The method includes: selecting between at least a first UL power allocation technique and a second power allocation technique for use in the UE; and using the selected power allocation technique in the UE to transmit uplink data by allocating transmit power between at least two carriers on which the uplink data is transmitted.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for maintaining validity of a timing advance value in a wireless device operable in a wireless communication network. According to an embodiment, validity of a previously configured a TA value in a wireless device is determined by comparing the previously configured TA value to a threshold. The threshold may be based on an amount of time required for a radio signal to traverse a distance corresponding to the intended radius of a cell serving the wireless device. Alternatively, the TA validity may be determined based on a history of TA updates. Optionally, a previously configured TA value may be gradually ramped up or down until the wireless device receives an acknowledgment of successful receipt of an UL data transmission by the base station.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for encoding and decoding a downlink control channel transmission, such as but not exclusively a High Speed Signalling Control Channel, HS-SCCH, transmission, in a wireless communications network. A method in a network node for encoding a downlink control channel transmission, comprises determining that channel conditions are below a threshold level, and in response to determining that channel conditions are below the threshold level, performing at least one of: encoding one or more predetermined control information bits into the downlink control channel transmission, and encoding a reduced number of control information bits into the downlink control channel transmission by omitting one or more control information bits, wherein the one or more omitted control information bits are predetermined control information bits. The method further comprises transmitting the downlink control channel transmission to a user equipment.