Abstract: A user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system includes a processor. The processor is configured to determine a channel bandwidth for a frequency band in which the wireless communication system operates, and when the channel bandwidth is 3 megahertz (MHz), determine a punctured bandwidth of a synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) block as 144 subcarriers, wherein subcarriers 0 to 47 and subcarriers 192 to 239 are punctured from 240 subcarriers of the SS/PBCH block bandwidth, and all 4 symbols of the SS/PBCH block are punctured. The UE further includes a transceiver operably coupled to the processor. The transceiver is configured to receive the SS/PBCH block based on the punctured bandwidth of the SS/PBCH block.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a wireless communication system supporting a semi-static shared spectrum channel access is provided. The method and apparatus comprises: receiving system information carried by downlink channels; identifying a duration of idle period, a fixed frame period, a number of observation slots, and an index; determining a first phase based on a first time period between a starting instance of the idle period and an ending instance of the at least one observation slot, a second phase based on a second time period between the ending instance of the at least one observation slot and an ending instance of the idle period, and a third phase based on a third time period between the ending instance of the idle period and an ending instance of the fixed frame period; and identifying the downlink channels as an idle state in the at least one observation slot.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for enhancement to standalone operation for higher frequency range in a wireless communication system. A method includes receiving a synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) block and determining a set of configurations for a control resource set (CORESET#0) to receive a TypeO physical downlink control channel (Type0-PDCCH). The set of configurations includes a multiplexing pattern between the CORESET#0 and the SS/PBCH block; a number NRRBCORESET#0 of resource blocks (RBs) for the CORESET#0; a number NsymbolCORESET#0 of symbols for the CORESET#0; and a frequency offset between the CORESET#0 and the SS/PBCH block. For a first multiplexing pattern between the CORESET#0 and the SS/PBCH block, the frequency offset between the CORESET#0 and the SS/PBCH block is determined as one of 0, NRBCORESET#0?NRBSSB, or (NRBCORESET#0?NRBSSB)/2. The method further includes receiving the Type0-PDCCH based on the set of configurations for the CORESET#0 over a downlink channel.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for channel access responses in uplink transmissions. A method of operating a user equipment (UE) includes receiving, from a base station (BS), a channel access request (CARQ) over a downlink channel and generating a channel access response (CARP). The CARP includes a response to information indicated in the CARQ. The method further includes including the CARP in uplink control information (UCI), determining a set of time or frequency domain resources for transmitting the UCI, and transmitting the UCI based on the determined set of time or frequency domain resources.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses in a wireless communication system. A method of operating a user equipment BS includes generating a first indicator requesting a report of a set of sidelink (SL) discontinuous reception (DRX) configurations for SL communications among user equipments (UEs); transmitting a downlink signal including the first indicator; receiving an uplink signal including the report of the set of the SL DRX configurations based on the first indicator indicating that the report of the set of the SL DRX configurations is requested; and configuring, based on the report of the set of the SL DRX configurations, a network DRX configuration for a Uu interface between a UE and a network entity including the BS.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system is provided. The method and apparatus comprises: receiving a synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) block; determining whether a shared spectrum channel access is enabled; determining a first index of the SS/PBCH block as a candidate SS/PBCH block index (ISSB1) based on a number of candidate SS/PBCH blocks in a half frame; and determining a second index of the SS/PBCH block as an SS/PBCH block index (ISSB2) based on a quasi-co-location (QCL) parameter (Q) indicated by a PBCH in the SS/PBCH block, wherein the SS/PBCH block index (ISSB2) is determined as: ISSB2=ISSB1 mod Q based on a determination that the shared spectrum channel access is enabled, where mod is a modular operation; or ISSB2=ISSB1 based on the determination that the shared spectrum channel access is not enabled.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for adapting a channel sensing threshold in a wireless communication system operating with shared spectrum channel access. A method for operating a base station (BS) includes determining whether an antenna configuration for channel sensing is omni-directional or directional and determining a channel sensing threshold. The channel sensing threshold includes two parts: a first part of the channel sensing threshold being common for omni-directional and directional antenna configurations and a second part of the channel sensing threshold depending on the antenna configuration. The method further includes performing a channel sensing procedure based on the antenna configuration and the channel sensing threshold and transmitting downlink (DL) data over a channel based on the channel being sensed as idle in the channel sensing procedure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for positioning in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE states. A method of a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system includes determining a first set of configurations for positioning and determining a second set of configurations for positioning. The first and second sets of configurations include configurations for a downlink (DL) positioning reference signal (PRS) based positioning measurement or an uplink (UL) sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission. The method further includes receiving a downlink control information (DCI) format including an indication on which of the first or second sets of configurations to use for positioning.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for transmitting or receiving a synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) block in a wireless communication system. A method of operating a user equipment (UE) includes receiving a SS/PBCH block, decoding a content of a PBCH in the SS/PBCH block, and determining whether the wireless communication system operates with shared spectrum channel access based on the content of the PBCH. The method further includes determining the content of the PBCH in a first manner based on determining that the wireless communication system operates with shared spectrum channel access or determining the content of the PBCH in a second manner based on determining that the wireless communication system operates without shared spectrum channel access.

Abstract: A method of a first UE comprises: determining a sidelink synchronization identity (SL-SID) and a set of resources; generating at least one sidelink synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (S-SSB) based on the SL-SID and the set of resources, wherein each S-SSB of the at least one S-SSB includes first two symbols for a sidelink primary synchronization signal (S-PSS) and second two symbols for a sidelink secondary synchronization signal (S-SSS); generating a first sequence corresponding to the S-PSS, wherein the first sequence is determined based on a binary phase shift keying (BPSK) modulated M-sequence with a 127 of sequence length and a low cross-correlation with a PSS; generating a second sequence corresponding to the S-SSS, wherein the second sequence is determined based on a BPSK modulated Gold-sequence with a 127 of sequence length; and transmitting, the at least one S-SSB over sidelink channels established with the second UE.

Abstract: A method of a user equipment (UE) for power saving is provided. The method comprises receiving, from a serving cell, a set of configurations, receiving a power saving signal (PoSS) from a first downlink channel based on the received set of configurations, acquiring a first part of information for power saving from the PoSS, receiving, based on the received set of configurations, a second downlink channel that is a control channel, and acquiring a second part of information for the power saving from the received second downlink channel.

Abstract: A UE includes a receiver configured to receive a first configuration for a first CORESET, a second configuration for a reception of a first CSI-RS, and the first CSI-RS. The first configuration includes a first TCI state. The TCI state for a CORESET indicates a set of quasi co-location properties for a PDCCH reception in the CORESET. A PDCCH includes a DCI format. The second configuration includes a first set of REs and the first TCI state. The UE also includes a processor operably connected to the receiver. The processor is configured to compute a first CQI value, based on the first CSI-RS, for a first PDCCH reception in the first CORESET and at least one CQI value based on the first CQI value. The UE further includes a transmitter operably connected to the processor, the transmitter configured to transmit a channel that includes the at least one CQI value.

Abstract: A UE includes a transceiver configured to receive an adaptation request (AR) via a DCI format in a PDCCH. The UE further includes a processor configured to configure the transceiver to operate in a first state associated with a reception of a first DCI format in a first search space set in response to an AR reception outcome, and to operate in a second state associated with a reception of a second DCI format in a second search space set. A BS includes a transceiver configured to transmit an AR via a DCI format in a PDCCH. The BS includes a processor configured to configure the transceiver to operate in a first state associated with a transmission of a first DCI format in a first search space set, and to operate in a second state associated with a transmission of a second DCI format in a second search space set.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for network operation adaptation in a spatial domain in a wireless communication system. A method for a user equipment (UE) to report channel state information (CSI) includes receiving: first information related to reception of CSI reference signals (CSI-RSs) on a cell, second information related to determining a first number of CSI reports respectively associated with a first number of operation states on the cell, third information related to triggering a second number CSI reports respectively associated with a second number of operation states from the first number of operation states, and the CSI-RSs based on the first information. An operation state is associated with a configuration for active antenna ports, antenna panels, or transmission reception points. The method further includes determining, based on the second information and the CSI-RSs, the second number of CSI reports and transmitting a channel with the second number of CSI reports.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for channel access requests in downlink transmissions. A method of operating a user equipment (UE) includes receiving, from a base station (BS), a downlink control information (DCI) format in physical downlink control channels (PDCCHs), determining a number of beam directions to sense, and determining a number of channel access request (CARQs) in a burst. The method further includes determining, based on at least one field in the DCI format, a set of CARQs according to the number of CARQs in the burst and a set of beam directions according to the number of beam directions to sense.

Abstract: Configuring control information comprises determining a frequency offset including an RB and RE level frequency offset, where the frequency offset is determined based on a lowest RE of an SS/PBCH block and a lowest RE of CORESET for RMSI, jointly configuring, using a first field of 4 bits, the RB level frequency offset with a multiplexing pattern of the SS/PBCH block and the CORESET, a BW of the CORESET, and a number of symbols for the CORESET for a combination of a SCS of the SS/PBCH block and a SCS of the CORESET, configuring using a second field of the 4 bits generating an MIB including the RB level frequency offset and the RE level frequency offset; and transmitting, to a UE, the MIB over a PBCH.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for a timing advance report an NTN is provided. The method of UE comprises: receiving, from a BS, first information including satellite assistance information for a target satellite; receiving, from the BS, second information including timing information, wherein the timing information includes at least one of a start time and a time duration for a synchronization operation; determining whether a RACH-less synchronization operation is configured; and initiating, based on the satellite assistance information and the timing information, the synchronization operation by performing a RA procedure upon a determination that the RACH-less synchronization operation is not configured.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for sidelink (SL) resource selection and reselection for a SL transmission in a wireless communication system. A method of operating a user equipment (UE) includes determining whether a sidelink (SL) unlicensed band is configured for a SL transmission and performing a channel sensing operation to determine whether a channel is available for channel access on the SL unlicensed band. The method further includes identifying a gap, based on a time duration for the channel sensing operation, for the SL transmission and selecting, based on the identified gap, a SL resource for the SL transmission. The SL resource is located outside of the identified gap from a previously reserved SL resource.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for discontinuous reception (DRX) for a group of user equipments (UEs). A method of a UE in a wireless communication system includes receiving higher layer parameters and determining DRX ON durations based on the higher layer parameters and reception occasions for physical downlink control channels (PDCCHs) based on the higher layer parameters, wherein a first PDCCH from the PDCCHs provides a downlink control information (DCI) format. The method further includes receiving the first PDCCH in at least one reception occasion from the reception occasions and determining based on an indication in the DCI format, whether to receive a second PDCCH in at least one DRX ON duration from consecutive NDRX DRX ON durations that are after the reception of the first PDCCH, wherein the indication in the DCI format is a bitmap of size NDRX, and NDRX bits in the bitmap are respectively associated with the NDRX DRX ON durations.

Abstract: Network parameter adaptation in a wireless communication system. A method for a user equipment (UE) includes receiving first information related to operation states on a cell and second information related to a search space set to receive physical downlink control channels (PDCCHs). A first operation state from the operation states includes first parameters associated with transmissions of channels or signals on the cell in one or more of a power, spatial, time, or frequency domain. A PDCCH from the PDCCHs provides a downlink control information (DCI) format that indicates one or more of the operation states. The method further includes receiving the PDCCH; determining the parameters in the one or more of the power, spatial, time, or frequency domain based on the one or more operation states indicated by the DCI format; and receiving the channels or signals on the cell based on the parameters.