Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for random access in a wireless communication system such as, e.g., a wireless communication system having a non-terrestrial (e.g., satellite-based) radio access network. 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 random access comprises performing an open-loop timing advance estimation procedure to thereby determine an open-loop timing advance estimate for an uplink between the wireless device and a base station. The method further comprises transmitting a random access preamble using the open-loop timing advance estimate. In this manner, random access can be performed even in the presence of a long propagation delay such as that present in a satellite-based radio access network. Embodiments of a method performed by a base station and corresponding embodiments of a base station are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for enhanced transmit and receive performance for time synchronization. In one embodiment, a method performed by an access node for a wireless network comprises receiving a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) preamble from a User Equipment (UE) and deriving timing-related information based on the PRACH preamble in accordance with a defined uplink signal timing detection error requirement, the defined uplink signal timing detection error requirement being stricter than a respective uplink signal timing detection error requirement defined in Release 15 and 16 of Third Generation Partnership Project New Radio (NR) specifications for a subcarrier spacing used for the PRACH preamble. The method further comprises sending the timing-related information to the UE. In this manner, enhanced time synchronization performance can be achieved.

Abstract: A wireless communication network activates or deactivates PDCP duplication for a pre-configured RLC entity using L1 signaling, delivered in Downlink Control Information (DCI), transmitted up to every subframe on the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). Hence. PDCP duplication can be activated or deactivated for a secondary RLC in the UE much faster than by using MAC CE or RRC. Upon receipt of the L1 signal, the UE activates or de-activates PDCP duplication for or more (or all) RLC entities.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for data burst volume indication for Time Sensitive Communication (TSC). In one embodiment, a method performed by Radio Access Network (RAN) node comprises receiving, from a core network (CN) node, one or more parameters, in additional to a maximum data burst volume (MDBV) parameter, that describe one or more data volume characteristics of a Quality of Service (QOS) flow. In this manner, compared to always assuming the worst-case scenario with the MDBV, the RAN node has a more accurate understanding of the traffic characteristics, which allows the RAN node to optimally schedule radio resources to cater to the data volume.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adapting a timer(s) for a satellite-based radio access network are disclosed. 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 comprises obtaining a value to be used to offset, extend, and/or scale one or more timers related to the satellite-based radio access network relative to values for non-satellite-based radio access networks. The method further comprises utilizing the value to offset a start of one or more timers, extend one or more timers, and/or scale one or more timers and performing one or more actions based on the one or more offset timers, the one or more extended timers, and/or the one or more scaled timers. Embodiments of a method performed by a base station and corresponding embodiments of a base station are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for configuring UEs with overlapping PUCCH resources for transmitting scheduling requests are provided. A network node can transmit a scheduling request configuration message indicating PUCCH resources, including a periodicity parameter being less than the PUCCH length. A wireless device can configure PUCCH resources in accordance with the configuration message and transmit a scheduling request.

Abstract: Example techniques for data retransmission in systems that do not utilize explicit hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback are presented, including an example method by a wireless device that includes starting a timer for a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process associated with a transport block (TB) transmission by the wireless device to the network node. The method includes identifying a HARQ policy for the HARQ process, the HARQ policy governing whether the wireless device is to retransmit the TB or transmit a new TB where no HARQ feedback responsive to the TB transmission is received from the network node before the timer expires. Furthermore, the method includes retransmitting the TB or transmitting the new TB according to the HARQ policy at a next periodic transmission occasion for the HARQ process after the timer expires. Methods at a network node and related apparatuses and computer programs are also presented.

Abstract: A first network node is disclosed. The first network node is configured to communicate with a wireless device (WD) and includes processing circuitry and a radio interface in communication with the processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to determine a reference signal presence message including presence information of at least one reference signal for an activation of at least one secondary cell. The presence information includes at least one index indicating a trigger state from a trigger state list. The radio interface is configured to transmit the reference signal presence message and receive a report from the WD indicating that the activation of at least one secondary cell using the at least one reference signal is complete. Methods, systems and other apparatuses are disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods for a user equipment (UE) configured to communicate with a wireless network via a plurality of cell groups (e.g., MCG and SCG). Such methods include, upon deactivating one of the cell groups (e.g., SCG), suspending a medium access control (MAC) entity associated with the deactivated cell group and performing one or more first operations on the MAC entity upon the suspension of the MAC entity. Such methods also include, while the MAC entity is suspended, performing one or more second operations related to reporting of uplink (UL) data available for transmission via the deactivated cell group. Such methods also include, upon reactivating the deactivated cell group, performing one or more third operations on the MAC entity and resuming the MAC entity based on the one or more third operations. Other embodiments include UEs configured to perform such methods.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamic and flexible configurations for configured grants are provided. In some embodiments, a method performed by a wireless device for configuring uplink grants includes receiving, from a network node, one or more indications to enable one or more configured grant configurations per cell and/or per BWP where at least one configured grant configuration indicating a plurality of transmission occasions within a period. The method also includes transmitting at least one transmission based on the at least one configured grant configuration.

Abstract: A method performed by a User Equipment (UE) for handling for handling Secondary Cell Group (SCG) operation in a wireless communications network is provided. The UE determines (402) a preferred mode of operation associated to an SCG. The UE transmits (403) a message to a network node. The message comprises the determined preferred mode of operation associated to the SCG.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods for a user equipment (UE) configured to operate in a radio access network (RAN). Such methods include obtaining data for transmission during a particular one of a plurality of periodic occasions during which the UE has been granted resources for uplink data transmission. The data includes first and second protocol data units (PDUs) associated with respective first and second hybrid ARQ (HARQ) processes. At least one of the first and second PDUs is for retransmission after failed transmission during an earlier one of the occasions. Such methods include selecting the first PDU or the second PDU for transmission during the particular occasion based on at least one of the following: priorities of logical channels with data included in the first and second PDUs. and whether one or both of the first and second PDUs are for retransmission. Other embodiments include complementary methods for a RAN node.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for random access in a wireless communication system such as, e.g., a wireless communication system having a non-terrestrial (e.g., satellite-based) radio access network. 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 random access comprises performing an open-loop timing advance estimation procedure to thereby determine an open-loop timing advance estimate for an uplink between the wireless device and a base station. The method further comprises transmitting a random access preamble using the open-loop timing advance estimate. In this manner, random access can be performed even in the presence of a long propagation delay such as that present in a satellite-based radio access network. Embodiments of a method performed by a base station and corresponding embodiments of a base station are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method (1600) implemented by a terminal device (600) is provided. The method includes transmitting (1602) information about a first preference of the terminal device to use a timing advance, TA, based propagation delay estimation or a round-trip time, RRT, based propagation delay estimation. For example, the first preference may include at least one of: a preference of the terminal device for at least one downlink reference signal; a preference of the terminal device for at least one uplink reference signal; and a preference of the terminal device for at least one physical random access channel, PRACH, transmission on an uplink. As another example, the first preference indicates a preference of the terminal device to use a network node based propagation delay estimation or a terminal device based propagation delay estimation.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods for a user equipment (UE) configured with a master cell group (MCG) and a secondary cell group (SCG) in a wireless network. Such methods include, while the SCG is in a deactivated state, determining availability of uplink (UL) data for transmission via the SCG and calculating an available UL data volume. Such methods also include transmitting an indication of the available UL data volume to the wireless network via one or more of the following: the SCG in the deactivated state; the SCG after being activated; the SCG after receiving an indication, from the wireless network, that the SCG should be activated; and the MCG. Other embodiments include complementary methods for a first node configured to provide the MCG and for a second node configured to provide the SCG, and UEs and network nodes configured to perform such methods.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for time synchronization in a wireless communication network. In one embodiment, a method performed by a wireless communication device comprises transmitting, to an access node, a signal for enhanced uplink timing estimation, wherein the signal occupies more or separate physical resources as compared to a corresponding signal transmitted for a purpose other than enhanced uplink timing estimation. The method further comprises receiving, from the access node, a message comprising timing-related information or clock time, responsive to transmitting the signal for enhanced uplink timing estimation. In this manner, the wireless communication network is able to meet enhanced timing error requirements, e.g., when inter-working with a Time Sensitive Network (TSN).

Abstract: Systems and methods for adapting a timer(s) for a satellite-based radio access network are disclosed. 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 comprises obtaining a value to be used to offset, extend, and/or scale one or more timers related to the satellite-based radio access network relative to values for non-satellite-based radio access networks. The method further comprises utilizing the value to offset a start of one or more timers, extend one or more timers, and/or scale one or more timers and performing one or more actions based on the one or more offset timers, the one or more extended timers, and/or the one or more scaled timers. Embodiments of a method performed by a base station and corresponding embodiments of a base station are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for transmitting a mixture of critical and non-critical data in a wireless network. In some embodiments, a method performed by a wireless device comprises receiving a configured uplink grant that allocates uplink resources in a plurality of transmission time intervals and determining, at a time tarrival, that critical data is to be transmitted using the configured uplink grant, where a time tarrival+PT occurs after a start of a particular transmission time interval and where PT is a preparation time needed to prepare an uplink transmission on the configured uplink grant. The method further comprises transmitting an uplink transmission comprising the critical data using allocated uplink resources in the particular transmission time interval starting at a time that is at or after the time tarrival+PT. Corresponding embodiments of a wireless device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A network node of a wireless communication network provides information to a User Equipment (UE) that allows the UE to adapt it radio measurements with respect to the network, to account for “link changes.” Link changes are service-link and/or feeder-link changes arising from motion by the satellite(s) included in the Radio Access Network (RAN) portion of the network. The UE uses the provided information to adapt its radio measurements in conjunction with the link changes. Among the several advantages of accounting for satellite link changes in the manner contemplated are any one or more of reduced signaling going between the UE and the network, reduced battery consumption at the UE, mitigation of the effects of the link changes on the radio measurements, avoidance of spurious measurements, and an effective “automation” of the timed changeover by the UE to new measurement configurations, coincident with the occurrence of link changes.

Abstract: Example techniques for data retransmission in systems that do not utilize explicit hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback are presented, including an example method by a wireless device that includes starting a timer for a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process associated with a transport block (TB) transmission by the wireless device to the network node. The method includes identifying a HARQ policy for the HARQ process, the HARQ policy governing whether the wireless device is to retransmit the TB or transmit a new TB where no HARQ feedback responsive to the TB transmission is received from the network node before the timer expires. Furthermore, the method includes retransmitting the TB or transmitting the new TB according to the HARQ policy at a next periodic transmission occasion for the HARQ process after the timer expires. Methods at a network node and related apparatuses and computer programs are also presented.