Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for enabling a narrow-band MTC device to operate in a legacy LTE system having a wider system bandwidth. The physical downlink control channel for a narrow-band MTC device, also referred to as low-complexity physical downlink control channel (LC-PDCCH), has reduced bandwidth resource and can support no more than 6 physical resource blocks. The present application discloses how to allocate physical resource blocks (PRBs) for LC-PDCCH and physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). The PRB allocation methods disclosed herein allow the MTC devices to derive the frequency location of the PDSCH PRBs from the frequency location of the LC-PDCCH PRBs and to soft-combine LC-PDCCH transmissions and PDSCH transmissions for performance improvement.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein that relate to determining Timing Advance (TA) value validity in a cellular communications system. In some embodiments, a method performed by a wireless device comprises measuring a reference time of arrival (TOA) value for a reference base station (BS) for a time T0 at which the wireless device has a valid timing advance, TA(T0), value, measuring TOA values for a set of other BSs for T0, and computing and storing time difference of arrival, TDOAX(T0), values for the other BSs for T0. The method further comprises measuring a reference TOA value for the reference BS for a time T1, measuring TOA values for the other BSs for T1, and computing time difference of arrival, TDOAX(T1), values for the other BSs for T1. The method further comprises determining whether the TA(T0) value is valid at T1 based on the TDOAX(T0) and TDOAX(T1) values.

Abstract: Systems and methods for narrowband measurements and reporting in a cellular communications system are disclosed. Embodiments of a method performed by a wireless device are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method performed by the wireless device comprises determining a set of narrowbands on which to perform measurements, wherein the set of narrowbands on which to perform measurements is a subset of all narrowbands within a respective system bandwidth. The method further comprises performing measurements on the set of narrowbands during one or more time periods associated with a random access procedure, and reporting the measurements or information derived from the measurements to a base station within a message sent from the wireless device to the base station during the random access procedure. In some embodiments, the message sent from the wireless device to the base station during the random access procedure is a Msg3.

Abstract: A network device transmits or receives using an LTE-M carrier with guard bands within the bandwidth of an NR carrier, wherein the subcarriers in the LTE-M carrier maximally align with subcarriers in NR. The center of the LTE-M carrier is located within the NR bandwidth such that: 1) a minimum number of NR resource blocks are occupied by any part of the LTE-M carrier and the guard bands at each end, given a predetermined bandwidth for each of the guard bands; and/or 2) given a predetermined number of NR resource blocks that can be occupied by any part of the LTE-M carrier and the guard bands at each end, a minimum guard band bandwidth from each end of the LTE-M carrier to the respective immediately adjacent NR resource block not occupied by any of part of the LTE-M carrier and the guard bands is maximized.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a method performed by a network node for indicating a modulation and coding scheme for a wireless device operating in a coverage enhancement mode, wherein the wireless device operates with a first modulation and coding scheme using physical downlink shared channel repetitions and with a second modulation and coding scheme without using physical downlink shared channel repetitions, and wherein the second modulation and coding scheme is a higher order of modulation and coding than the first modulation and coding scheme, the method comprising configuring, when physical downlink shared channel repetitions are not used, the downlink control information to indicate one or more parameters related to the second modulation and coding scheme, the indication comprising at least the modulation and coding scheme field of the first modulation and coding scheme and one or more downlink control information field bits which are used in relation to repetitions when repetitions of a physical downlink sh

Abstract: Embodiments herein disclose e.g. a method performed by a wireless device (10) for handling communication for the wireless device in a second wireless communication network. The second wireless communication network coexists with a first wireless communication network on a same bandwidth in frequency, wherein the first wireless communication network applies a first shift in frequency in uplink transmissions. The wireless device receives from a radio network node (12,13), an indication indicating application of a second shift in frequency to uplink transmissions in case the second wireless communication network uses Frequency Division Duplex (FDD). The wireless device further applies the second shift in frequency to uplink transmissions, wherein the second shift defines a shift in frequency to a subcarrier relative to a subcarrier grid of the second wireless communication network or a shift in frequency to the subcarrier grid of the second wireless communication network.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and arrangements that make it possible to control the delay for the UEs to access the EUL resources in the Enhanced Uplink in CELL_FACH state procedure, independently from the delay for the UEs to access ordinary UL resources in the RACH procedure. This is achieved by a solution where the timing of entering (or re-entering) a transmission procedure for Enhanced Uplink in CELL_FACH state is controlled with the help of a transmission control parameter defined specifically for this transmission procedure, instead of using the same parameter as for the RACH procedure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and nodes configured for control link definition in a networked control system, wherein the networked control system comprises a controlling node, a controlled process node and a Machine Type Communication, MTC, wireless communication link between the controlling node and the controlled process node. The method comprises to obtain process characteristics for a process performed in the controlled process node and NCS requirements for an automatic control process to be performed in the NCS. The controlling node also determines link capability requirements for the MTC wireless communication link based on the process characteristics and the NCS requirements. One or more quality of service, QoS, parameters of the MTC wireless communication link are customized based on the determined link capability requirements.

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: According to one aspect of the disclosure, a wireless device is configured to transmit a random access preamble. The wireless device includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to obtain a tone index, and determine a location within a frequency band for transmitting the random access preamble based on the obtained tone index.

Abstract: A method for providing enhanced network coverage for a vehicle equipped with a wireless communication device. The method includes transmitting to a mobile network a capability message indicating that the WCD does not support any coverage enhancement (CE) mode. The method also includes determining whether a condition is satisfied, which comprises determining whether the vehicle is parked. The method further includes as a result of determining that the condition is satisfied, informing the mobile network that the WCD supports a CE mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for selectively deactivating (partially or fully) Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) mechanisms in a cellular communications system. Embodiments disclosed herein are particularly well-suited for adapting HARQ mechanisms for non-terrestrial radio access networks (e.g., satellite-based radio access networks). Embodiments of a method performed by a wireless device and corresponding embodiments of a wireless device are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method performed by a wireless device for deactivating HARQ mechanisms comprises receiving, from a base station, an explicit or implicit indication that HARQ mechanisms are at least partially deactivated for an uplink or downlink transmission. The method further comprises determining that HARQ mechanisms are at least partially deactivated for the transmission based on the indication and transmitting/receiving the transmission with HARQ mechanisms at least partially deactivated.

Abstract: A method by a wireless device includes obtaining, in a downlink control information (DCI) field, an indication of whether to perform a fallback to a radio resource control (RRC) connection setup or resume procedure or whether to abort a random access attempt. Based on the indication, wireless device determines to perform the fallback to the RRC connection setup or resume procedure or to abort the random access attempt.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method for use in a user equipment (UE) of acquiring system information or a synchronization signal comprises receiving, from a network node, a plurality of subframes. Each subframe includes a repetition of either system information or a synchronization signal. The repetition is divided into a number (N) of transmission blocks in a frequency domain of a first bandwidth (N>1). The method further comprises combining N transmission blocks from one or more repetitions of the respective received plurality of subframes to decode the system information or synchronization signal. The UE may comprise a narrowband wireless device operable to receive a bandwidth less than the first bandwidth, and combining N transmission blocks to decode the system information or synchronization signal may comprise combining at least one transmission block from two or more repetitions of two or more respective subframes of the plurality of subframes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and devices for synchronizing one or more radio devices with a radio access node. A method of providing synchronization with a radio access node for radio communication to one or more radio devices is disclosed. The method comprises or triggers transmitting a configuration message to at least one of the radio devices, where the configuration message is indicative of a synchronization signal configuration for a configurable synchronization signal. The method further comprises or triggers transmitting the configurable synchronization signal to the at least one radio device in accordance with the synchronization signal configuration and communicating one or more decodable signals between the radio access node and the at least one radio device using radio resources in accordance with the configurable synchronization signal. A corresponding method of synchronizing the radio device with the radio access node for radio communication is disclosed.

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: Systems and methods are disclosed for adjusting Radio Link Monitoring (RLM), Radio Link Failure (RLF) detection, RLF recovery, and/or connection establishment failure detection for wireless devices (16) in a cellular communications network (10) depending on mode of operation. In one embodiment, a node (14, 16) in the cellular communications network (10) determines whether a wireless device (16) (e.g., a Machine Type Communication (MTC) device) is to operate in a long range extension mode of operation or a normal mode of operation. The node (14, 16) then applies different values for at least one parameter depending on whether the wireless device (16) is to operate in the long range extension mode or the normal mode. The at least one parameter includes one or more RLM parameters, one or more RLF detection parameters, and/or one or more RLF recovery parameters.

Abstract: Embodiments herein disclose e.g. a method performed by a wireless device (10) for handling communication for the wireless device in a second wireless communication network. The second wireless communication network coexists with a first wireless communication network on a same bandwidth in frequency, wherein the first wireless communication network applies a first shift in frequency in uplink transmissions. The wireless device receives from a radio network node (12,13), an indication indicating application of a second shift in frequency to uplink transmissions in case the second wireless communication network uses Frequency Division Duplex (FDD). The wireless device further applies the second shift in frequency to uplink transmissions, wherein the second shift defines a shift in frequency to a subcarrier relative to a subcarrier grid of the second wireless communication network or a shift in frequency to the subcarrier grid of the second wireless communication network.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns radio communication. More particularly, the present disclosure inter alia introduces techniques to allow low-complexity UEs 120a-j, e.g. Rel-3 MTC devices, to operate in a legacy LTE system with maintained, or improved, performance.

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.