Abstract: Various solutions for autonomous reliability enhancement with respect to user equipment and network apparatus in mobile communications are described. An apparatus may perform an uplink (UL) transmission on a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). The apparatus may receive a feedback corresponding to the UL transmission from a network node on a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), and the feedback indicates that the UL transmission was not successfully received by the network node. The apparatus may apply a reliability enhancement mechanism to subsequent UL transmissions or retransmissions on the PUSCH based on the feedback.

Abstract: Various solutions for identifying support of a reduced capability in mobile communications are described. An apparatus, implementable in a user equipment (UE), receives from a network an indication of support of a reduced capability. The apparatus then communicates with the network using the reduced capability, including transmitting to the network an identifier that identifies the UE as a reduced-capability UE.

Abstract: Various solutions for enhanced discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration/operation for extended reality (XR) and cloud gaming traffic with respect to user equipment and network apparatus in mobile communications are proposed. An apparatus may receive a configuration from a network node. The apparatus may activate an on-duration timer for an on-duration of a DRX cycle. The apparatus may determine whether downlink (DL) data are received from the network node. The apparatus may stop the on-duration timer according to the configuration in an event that the DL data are received.

Abstract: Methods for selectively enabling and disabling UL HARQ retransmission in NTN communications and communication apparatus utilizing the same. A method for selectively enabling and disabling uplink Hybrid Automatic Repeat request (HARQ) retransmission in Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) communications includes: determining a set of logical channels that are allowed to transmit or a set of MAC CEs that are allowed to be transmitted using one or more specific uplink (UL) HARQ processes. The one or more specific UL HARQ processes include one or more UL HARQ processes for which the UL retransmission has been disabled, or one or more UL HARQ processes for which the UL retransmission has been enabled.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a measurement configuration from a serving cell of a user equipment (UE) in a non-terrestrial network (NTN) providing mobile communication service based on satellites. The satellites can be low Earth orbiting (LEO) satellites, geostationary Earth orbiting (GEO) satellites, and the like. The measurement configuration indicates a first synchronization signal block (SSB) based measurement timing configuration (SMTC) and a second SMTC. The first SMTC specifies first SMTC windows aligning with SSB signals from the serving cell of the UE. The second SMTC specifies second SMTC windows aligning with SSB signals from a first neighbor cell of the UE. The serving cell is associated with a first flying object, and the first neighbor cell is associated with a second flying object. The UE performs a measurement based on the first SMTC corresponding to the serving cell and the second SMTC corresponding to the first neighbor cell.

Abstract: Various solutions for enhanced uplink control information (UCI) multiplexing in mobile communications are described. An apparatus may receive a downlink control information (DCI) from a network node. The DCI schedules one or more physical uplink shared channels (PUSCHs). The apparatus may multiplex UCI to one of the PUSCHs carrying uplink shared channel (UL-SCH) data. The multiplexing starts from a symbol position determined according to at least one of the following: a dynamic signaling comprising an indication of the symbol position; one or more user equipment (UE) processing timelines for reporting the UCI; and a position of a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) symbol configured by the DCI. Then, the apparatus may transmit the PUSCHs to the network node.

Abstract: A method (and associate apparatus) operates by receiving a first tracking area code (TAC) list corresponding to Non Geostationary (NGSO) Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN); performing cell selection in a mobile network based NGSO NTN, wherein the UE selects a first cell associated with the first TAC list; performing a registration procedure with a first TAC from the first TAC list; performing cell reselection and selecting a second cell, wherein the second cell is associated with a second TAC list; and determining whether the first TAC is included in the second TAC list, wherein the UE initiates a TA update (TAU) procedure when the first TAC is not included in the second TAC list, wherein the TAU procedure involves the UE sending a TAU Request message, and wherein the UE receives a TAU Accept message and the UE is registered to a second TAC from the second TAC list.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a measurement configuration from a serving cell of a user equipment (UE) in a non-terrestrial network (NTN) providing mobile communication service based on satellites. The satellites can be low Earth orbiting (LEO) satellites, geostationary Earth orbiting (GEO) satellites, and the like. The measurement configuration indicates a first synchronization signal block (SSB) based measurement timing configuration (SMTC) and a second SMTC. The first SMTC specifies first SMTC windows aligning with SSB signals from the serving cell of the UE. The second SMTC specifies second SMTC windows aligning with SSB signals from a first neighbor cell of the UE. The serving cell is associated with a first flying object, and the first neighbor cell is associated with a second flying object. The UE performs a measurement based on the first SMTC corresponding to the serving cell and the second SMTC corresponding to the first neighbor cell.

Abstract: Various solutions for enhanced beam configuration in wireless communications are described. A network node may split a total transmission power into a first transmission power and a second transmission power. Then, the network node may configure one or more wide beams to share the first transmission power in serving one or more user equipments (UEs) within one or more first areas covered by the wide beams. Also, the network node may configure one or more narrow beams to share the second transmission power in serving one or more of the UEs within one or more second areas covered by the narrow beams.

Abstract: Various solutions for paging adaptation to support enhanced beam configuration in wireless communications are described. A network node may configure a cell with at least one wide beam and one or more narrow beams. The wide beam may be configured to be always activated and each of the narrow beams may be configurable to be activated or deactivated. The network node may transmit a paging message to an apparatus in the cell. The paging message may be transmitted on the wide beam and/or the narrow beams that are activated. Then, the network node may receive a random access request from the apparatus for initial access to the cell.

Abstract: Various solutions for packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) enhancements on control protocol data unit (PDU) for sequence number (SN) gap report are described. A transmitting apparatus may obtain one or more PDCP service data units (SDUs) from an upper layer. The transmitting apparatus may detect that the one or more PDCP SDUs, each associated with a PDCP SN, are discarded before successfully transmitted to a receiving apparatus. Then, the transmitting apparatus may transmit a PDCP control PDU to the receiving apparatus. The PDCP control PDU may indicate a PDCP SN gap report associated with the discarded PDCP SDUs.

Abstract: Various solutions for initial access with enhanced beam configuration in wireless communications are described. A network node may configure a cell with at least one wide beam and one or more narrow beams. The wide beam is associated with a cell-defining synchronization signal block (CD-SSB) and each of the narrow beams is associated with a non-cell-defining synchronization signal block (NCD-SSB) or a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS). The network node may transmit the CD-SSB on the wide beam. Then, the network node may receive a random access request from an apparatus for initial access to the cell.

Abstract: Various solutions for uplink synchronization in non-terrestrial network (NTN) communications are proposed. An apparatus implemented in a user equipment (UE) receives a system information block (SIB) of a target cell via a non-terrestrial (NT) network node of the NTN. The apparatus obtains an explicit epoch time from the SIB of the target cell. Then, the apparatus performs an uplink (UL) synchronization with the target cell through adjusting an uplink transmit time according to the explicit epoch time.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for reliable multicast transmission with compact protocol stack. In one novel aspect, compact protocol stacks are configured for the UE and the base station handling both the PTM RB and the PTP RB. The compact protocol stack is either configured a compact RLC entity or a compact PDCP entity. The UE monitors a PTM LCH and a PTP LCH and sends feedback to the network with the PTP RB. The base station transmits MBS data packets in the PTM mode to the one or more subscriber UE, monitors feedback report from each subscriber UEs through corresponding PTP RB, and retransmits MBS data packets to one or more UEs through corresponding PTP RBs based on corresponding feedback reports. PTM-to-PTP and PTP-to-PTM mode switches are performed when triggering events are detected. The mode switch notification is sent to UEs via MAC CE or RLC control PDU.

Abstract: Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites orbit around the earth at a high speed (mobility), but over a predictable or deterministic orbit. In this invention, an efficient mechanism to include a list of multiple Tracking Area Codes (TAC List) in LEO-NTN is proposed for efficient tracking area update (TAU). Each cell broadcasts a TAC list corresponding to all the tracking areas it covers as it moves, dynamically. A UE selects a cell and is registered with a TA during initial registration and cell selection. As the satellite moves, the UE reselects another cell during cell reselection. The UE triggers a TAU only if its current TA does not match with any tracking area code of the TAC List broadcasted by the reselected cell. By using the concept of TAC list, it significantly reduces the TAU signaling overhead in LEO-NTN.

Abstract: Techniques and solutions pertaining to using pre-configured transmission occasions in transmission of varying sized data in mobile communications are described. An apparatus (e.g., user equipment (UE)) receives a configuration from a network configuring a set of CG resources. The apparatus transmits an indication to the network indicating a number of CG resources of the set of CG resources used (or unused) in transmission in an occasion.

Abstract: Techniques and solutions pertaining to reducing padding in uplink (UL) transmissions in mobile communications are described. An apparatus (e.g., user equipment (UE)) receives, from a network, a configuration of multiple overlapping configured grants (CGs) or multiple overlapping dynamic grants (DGs). The apparatus selects a CG or DG from the multiple overlapping CGs or DGs to perform transmission in the selected CG or DG. The apparatus then indicates the selected CG or DG to the network.

Abstract: Techniques and solutions pertaining to supporting arbitrary discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle and periodicity of semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) and configured grant (CG) in mobile communications are described. An apparatus (e.g., user equipment (UE)) enters a DRX mode in wireless communications. The apparatus communicates with a network when in the DRX mode by using an extended system frame number (E-SFN) that wraps at a maximum value of the E-SFN and supports either or both of a non-integer DRX cycle and a non-integer periodicity of SPS/CG.

Abstract: Techniques and solutions pertaining to on-demand selective retransmissions for uplink (UL) pose and/or control information in mobile communications are described. An apparatus (e.g., user equipment (UE)) receives pose or control information. The apparatus performs a selective UL retransmission of the pose or control information.

Abstract: Techniques and solutions pertaining to further enhancements in discontinuous reception (DRX) operation for extended reality (XR) and cloud gaming in mobile communications are described. An apparatus (e.g., user equipment (UE)) enters a DRX mode in wireless communications. The apparatus controls at least one timer or at least one on-duration occasion to reduce DRX cycle mismatch or UE power consumption due to jitter when in the DRX mode.