Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed from the perspective of a User Equipment (UE). In one embodiment, the method includes receiving, from a network node, a configuration of Preconfigured Uplink Resources (PUR), when the UE is in RRC_CONNECTED state, wherein the PUR is used for a transmission when the UE is in RRC_IDLE state. The method also includes determining to generate a first Radio Resource Control (RRC) message or a second RRC message for the transmission based on whether the transmission is to be transmitted using the PUR or not, wherein the first RRC message includes a UE identity and the second RRC message does not include the UE identity. The method further includes performing the transmission including the first RRC message or the second RRC message when the UE is in RRC_IDLE state.

Abstract: To perform successful transmission using Preconfigured Uplink Resources (PUR) in RRC_IDLE state, the UE (User Equipment) should maintain a valid timing adjustment (or timing alignment, TA). Currently the maximum of TA timer (excluding infinity value) is 10.24 seconds. In many or most cases, the TA timer will expire before the next PUR occasion occurs, resulting in the UE being unable to perform transmission using PUR. To solve such issue, the UE could apply different length for the TA timer in RRC_IDLE state. A method and apparatus are disclosed from the perspective of a User Equipment (UE). In one embodiment, the method includes the UE receiving a configuration of a first timer indicating a first length in a RRCConnectionRelease message, wherein the first timer is used to control validity of a first Timing Adjustment (TA) for a transmission using Preconfigured Uplink Resources (PUR) in RRC_IDLE state.

Abstract: To perform successful transmission using Preconfigured Uplink Resources (PUR) in RRC IDLE state, the UE (User Equipment) should maintain a valid timing adjustment (or timing alignment, TA). Currently the maximum of TA timer (excluding infinity value) is 10.24 seconds. In many or most cases, the TA timer will expire before the next PUR occasion occurs, resulting in the UE being unable to perform transmission using PUR. To solve such issue, the UE could apply different length for the TA timer in RRC IDLE state. A method and apparatus are disclosed from the perspective of a User Equipment (UE). In one embodiment, the method includes the UE receiving a configuration of a first timer indicating a first length in a RRCConnectionRelease message, wherein the first timer is used to control validity of a first Timing Adjustment (TA) for a transmission using Preconfigured Uplink Resources (PUR) in RRC_IDLE state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed from the perspective of a UE (User Equipment). In one embodiment, the method includes the UE receiving a first MAC-CE (Medium Access Control-Control Element) including or indicating a plurality of TCI (Transmission Configuration Indication) state IDs (Identities) to be activated for receiving PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel), wherein format of the first MAC-CE depends on amount of the plurality of TCI state IDs. The method further includes the UE activating a plurality of TCI states associated with the plurality of TCI state IDs included or indicated in the first MAC-CE for receiving the PDSCH in response to reception of the first MAC-CE.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for user equipment beamforming operation in a wireless communication system. In one method, a user equipment receives a first configuration or a first scheduling to request the UE to perform a first Uplink (UL) transmission on a first UE beam, wherein the first UL transmission is to be performed in a first time unit. The UE receives a second configuration or a second scheduling to request the UE to perform a second UL transmission on a second UE beam, wherein the second UL transmission is to be performed in a second time unit. The UE performs the first UL transmission on the first UE beam and drops the second UL transmission on the second UE beam if the second time unit is at least partially overlapped with the first time unit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for random access in a wireless communication system are disclosed herein. In one method, a user equipment (UE) performs a first attempt of a random access procedure to communicate with a cell via at least a first UE beam. The UE performs a second attempt of the random access procedure to communicate with the cell via at least a second UE beam when the first attempt fails, in which the direction of the first UE beam and the direction of the second UE beam are different.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for releasing preconfigured uplink resources configuration in a wireless communication system are disclosed herein. In one method, a User Equipment (UE) receives a configuration of a preconfigured uplink resource (PUR) when the UE is in a first RRC_CONNECTED state. The UE enters a first RRC_IDLE state from the first RRC_CONNECTED state. The UE performs a first transmission using the PUR when the UE is in the first RRC_IDLE state. The UE enters a second RRC_CONNECTED state from the first RRC_IDLE state. The UE suspends the configuration when the UE is in the second RRC_CONNECTED state. The UE resumes the configuration when the UE enters a second RRC_IDLE state from the second RRC_CONNECTED state. The UE performs a second transmission using the PUR when the UE is in the second RRC_IDLE state.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for releasing preconfigured uplink resources configuration in a wireless communication system are disclosed herein. In one method, a User Equipment (UE) receives a configuration of a preconfigured uplink resource (PUR) when the UE is in a first RRC_CONNECTED state. The UE enters a first RRC_IDLE state from the first RRC_CONNECTED state. The UE performs a first transmission using the PUR when the UE is in the first RRC_IDLE state. The UE enters a second RRC_CONNECTED state from the first RRC_IDLE state. The UE suspends the configuration when the UE is in the second RRC_CONNECTED state. The UE resumes the configuration when the UE enters a second RRC_IDLE state from the second RRC_CONNECTED state. The UE performs a second transmission using the PUR when the UE is in the second RRC_IDLE state.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for handling a SCell deactivation timer in a wireless communication system are disclosed herein. In one method, a network node configures a UE with a first SCell. The network node configures the UE to use a first SCell deactivation timer for the first SCell. The network node configures the UE with a SPS resource on the first SCell. The network node configures the UE not to use the first SCell deactivation timer if a length of the first SCell deactivation timer is shorter than a SPS interval of the SPS resource.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed from the perspective of a network node. In one embodiment, the method includes the network node transmitting a first slot format information (SFI) to a User Equipment (UE), wherein the first SFI indicates transmitted direction of symbols of a first set of slots. The method also includes the network node transmitting a second SFI carried by a group common physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) to the UE, wherein the second SFI indicates transmitted direction of symbols of a second set of slots, and wherein if the first set of slots and the second set of slots are partially overlapped in time domain and the second SFI is transmitted after the first SFI, transmitted direction of overlapped symbols indicated by the second SFI is aligned with transmitted direction of the overlapped symbols indicated by the first SFI.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed from the perspective of a User Equipment (UE). In one embodiment, the method includes receiving, from a network node, a configuration of Preconfigured Uplink Resources (PUR), when the UE is in RRC_CONNECTED state, wherein the PUR is used for a transmission when the UE is in RRC_IDLE state. The method also includes determining to generate a first Radio Resource Control (RRC) message or a second RRC message for the transmission based on whether the transmission is to be transmitted using the PUR or not, wherein the first RRC message includes a UE identity and the second RRC message does not include the UE identity. The method further includes performing the transmission including the first RRC message or the second RRC message when the UE is in RRC_IDLE state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed from the perspective of a User Equipment (UE). In one embodiment, the method includes receiving, from a network node, a configuration of Preconfigured Uplink Resources (PUR), when the UE is in RRC_CONNECTED state, wherein the PUR is used for a transmission when the UE is in RRC_IDLE state. The method also includes determining to generate a first Radio Resource Control (RRC) message or a second RRC message for the transmission based on whether the transmission is to be transmitted using the PUR or not, wherein the first RRC message includes a UE identity and the second RRC message does not include the UE identity. The method further includes performing the transmission including the first RRC message or the second RRC message when the UE is in RRC_IDLE state.

Abstract: A method for a wireless communications system is disclosed. In one example, user equipment (UE) (e.g. a mobile phone) receives an indication from a network (for example, by way of a transmission and reception point (TRP)) indicating whether a first transmission and a second transmission to the UE can be combined for decoding. The UE also receives the first transmission via a first UE beam and the second transmission via a second UE beam. The first transmission and the second transmission are received concurrently. The first and second transmissions can arrive via different serving beams and/or different TRPs of the same cell. Based on the indication, the UE combines the first and second transmissions for decoding purposes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed from the perspective of a User Equipment (UE). In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a Random Access Channel (RACH) configuration from a network node, wherein the RACH configuration indicates at least one Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) resource for beam failure recovery. The method further includes receiving a timing advance command from the network node, and starting or restarting a time alignment timer when receiving the timing advance command. The method also includes releasing the at least one PRACH resource for the beam failure recovery indicated by the RACH configuration when the timing alignment timer expires.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for a user equipment (UE) operating in a serving cell is disclosed. The UE, in a first RRC_CONNECTED state, transmits an interest indication for a broadcast or a multicast service to a first serving cell. The interest indication includes at least some information associated with a broadcast or a multicast service. Upon entering a second RRC_CONNECTED state from an RRC_INACTIVE state, the UE may or may not send an interest indication to a second serving cell, taking into account the differences between the first and second serving cell, whether the second serving cell requested transmission of an interest indication, or whether the content of the second interest indication would be the same as the content of the first interest indication. A network node may retain UE context and other UE-related information after the UE has left an RRC_CONNECTED state, forward the information to another network node, and/or process the information when the UE re-enters the RRC_CONNECTED state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed. In an example from the perspective of a User Equipment (UE), a Slot Format Indication (SFI) is received within a first Channel Occupancy Time (COT) of a serving cell. The SFI is indicative of one or more slot formats of one or more slots of the serving cell. A first signal indicative of an ending position of the first COT is received. A beginning of at least one slot of the one or more slots is after the ending position. The UE determines whether to apply a slot format, of a slot of the one or more slots, to the slot based upon whether the slot is within the first COT, wherein the slot format of the slot is indicated by the SFI.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for assisting data transmission in a wireless communication system. In one embodiment, the method includes a UE transmitting information to a base station, wherein the information at least indicates time to start an uplink transmission by the UE. In another embodiment, the method could include the UE receiving, from the base station, a configuration indicating a periodic uplink resource allocation. In addition, the method could include the UE performing the uplink transmission based on the periodic uplink resource allocation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed. In an example from the perspective of a User Equipment (UE), a random access procedure in a cell controlled by a network node is initiated. A downlink signal is selected from amongst configured downlink signals. A measured Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) value associated with the downlink signal satisfies a first criterion associated with a first threshold. A measurement result associated with the downlink signal satisfies a second criterion associated with a second threshold. A random access preamble transmission of the random access procedure is performed on a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) occasion associated with the downlink signal.

Abstract: A method for a wireless communications system is disclosed. In one example, a user equipment (UE) device (e.g. a mobile phone) provides a UE beam sweeping number to a network node. Based on the UE beam sweeping number, the network node provides configuration information or allocates a resource to the UE device. The UE device can use the configuration information or the resource for measurement. The beam sweeping number refers to the number of time intervals that the UE device would need to generate multiple sets of UE beams, one set per time interval, that would cover all possible directions in which the UE device sends and/or receives transmissions, in a manner that resembles a sweeping of UE beams.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed from the perspective of an User Equipment (UE). In one embodiment, the method includes the UE deriving a first pathloss value from a first pathloss reference of a serving cell, wherein the first pathloss value is used for deriving a power headroom value included in a first power headroom report. The method also includes the UE deriving a second pathloss value from a second pathloss reference of the serving cell after deriving the first pathloss value, wherein the second pathloss reference is used for power control for a first Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) transmission on the serving cell. The method further includes the UE deriving the pathloss change based on the first pathloss value and the second pathloss value. In addition, the method includes the UE determining whether a second power headroom report is triggered based on whether the pathloss change is more than a threshold.