WO2020030289A1

WO2020030289A1 - Apparatus, method and computer program

Info

Publication number: WO2020030289A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/071825
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jussi-Pekka Koskinen; Lars Dalsgaard
Original assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Current assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2018-08-10
Filing date: 2018-08-10
Publication date: 2020-02-13
Anticipated expiration: 2021-02-10

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus, said apparatus comprising means for determining, at a user equipment, downlink channel quality, determining a coverage level for use by the user equipment and providing to a network an indication of the determined coverage level and an indication of the determined downlink channel quality, wherein the indication of the determined downlink channel quality is based on the determined downlink channel quality and the determined coverage level.

Description

Title

Apparatus, method and computer program

Field

The present application relates to a method, apparatus, system and computer program and in particular but not exclusively to downlink (DL) channel quality reporting.

Background

A communication system can be seen as a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more entities such as user terminals, base stations and/or other nodes by providing carriers between the various entities involved in the communications path. A communication system can be provided for example by means of a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices. The communication sessions may comprise, for example, communication of data for carrying communications such as voice, video, electronic mail (email), text message, multimedia and/or content data and so on. Non- limiting examples of services provided comprise two-way or multi-way calls, data communication or multimedia services and access to a data network system, such as the Internet.

In a wireless communication system at least a part of a communication session between at least two stations occurs over a wireless link. Examples of wireless systems comprise public land mobile networks (PLMN), satellite based communication systems and different wireless local networks, for example wireless local area networks (WLAN). The wireless systems can typically be divided into cells, and are therefore often referred to as cellular systems.

A user can access the communication system by means of an appropriate communication device or terminal. A communication device of a user may be referred to as user equipment (UE) or user device. A communication device is provided with an appropriate signal receiving and transmitting apparatus for enabling communications, for example enabling access to a communication network or communications directly with other users. The communication device may access a carrier provided by a station, for example a base station of a cell, and transmit and/or receive communications on the carrier. The communication system and associated devices typically operate in accordance with a given standard or specification which sets out what the various entities associated with the system are permitted to do and how that should be achieved. Communication protocols and/or parameters which shall be used for the connection are also typically defined. One example of a communications system is UTRAN (3G radio). Other examples of communication systems are the long-term evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio-access technology and so-called 5G or New Radio (NR) networks. NR is being standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).

Summary

In a first aspect there is provided an apparatus, said apparatus comprising means for determining, at a user equipment, downlink channel quality, determining a coverage level for use by the user equipment and providing to a network an indication of the determined coverage level and an indication of the determined downlink channel quality, wherein the indication of the determined downlink channel quality is based on the determined downlink channel quality and the determined coverage level.

The apparatus may comprise means for receiving, at the user equipment, signalling from the network, wherein the signalling comprises information and determining a coverage level for use by the user equipment based on the information.

The information may comprise a threshold value associated with a coverage level.

The information may comprises an indication of resources associated with a coverage level. The resources may comprise random access resources.

The apparatus may comprise means for providing the indication of the determined coverage level to the network in a random access message.

The signalling may comprise broadcast signalling.

The information may comprise system information.

The signalling may comprise dedicated signalling. The indication of the downlink channel quality may comprise at least one value based on mapping the determined downlink channel quality to the determined coverage level.

The apparatus may comprise means for providing the indication of the determined downlink channel quality in a radio resource control message.

In a second aspect there is provided an apparatus, said apparatus comprising means for receiving, from a user equipment, an indication of a determined coverage level and an indication of determined downlink channel quality, wherein the indication of determined downlink channel quality is based on a downlink channel quality determined by the user equipment and the determined coverage level.

The apparatus may comprise means for determining downlink channel quality based on the indication of determined downlink channel quality and the indication of a determined coverage level.

The apparatus may comprise means for performing link adaptation based on the downlink channel quality.

The apparatus may comprise means for providing, to the user equipment, signalling from the network, wherein the signalling comprises information and determining a coverage level for use by the user equipment based on the information.

The apparatus may comprise means for receiving the indication of the determined coverage level form the user equipment in a random access message.

The signalling may comprise broadcast signalling.

The information may comprise system information.

The apparatus may comprise means for receiving the indication of the determined downlink channel quality from the user equipment in a radio resource control message.

In a third aspect there is provided a method, said method comprising determining, at a user equipment, downlink channel quality, determining a coverage level for use by the user equipment and providing to a network an indication of the determined coverage level and an indication of the determined downlink channel quality, wherein the indication of the determined downlink channel quality is based on the determined downlink channel quality and the determined coverage level.

The method may comprise receiving, at the user equipment, signalling from the network, wherein the signalling comprises information and determining a coverage level for use by the user equipment based on the information.

The method may comprise providing the indication of the determined coverage level to the network in a random access message.

The signalling may comprise broadcast signalling.

The information may comprise system information.

The signalling may comprise dedicated signalling.

The indication of the downlink channel quality may comprise at least one value based on mapping the determined downlink channel quality to the determined coverage level. The method may comprise providing the indication of the determined downlink channel quality in a radio resource control message.

In a fourth aspect there is provided a method, said method comprising receiving, from a user equipment, an indication of a determined coverage level and an indication of determined downlink channel quality, wherein the indication of determined downlink channel quality is based on a downlink channel quality determined by the user equipment and the determined coverage level.

The method may comprise determining downlink channel quality based on the indication of determined downlink channel quality and the indication of a determined coverage level.

The method may comprise performing link adaptation based on the downlink channel quality.

The method may comprise providing, to the user equipment, signalling from the network, wherein the signalling comprises information and determining a coverage level for use by the user equipment based on the information.

The method may comprise receiving the indication of the determined coverage level form the user equipment in a random access message.

The signalling may comprise broadcast signalling.

The information may comprise system information.

The signalling may comprise dedicated signalling.

The indication of the downlink channel quality may comprise at least one value based on mapping the determined downlink channel quality to the determined coverage level. The method may comprise receiving the indication of the determined downlink channel quality from the user equipment in a radio resource control message.

In a fifth aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including a computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: determine downlink channel quality at a user equipment, determine a coverage level for use by the user equipment and provide to a network an indication of the determined coverage level and an indication of the determined downlink channel quality, wherein the indication of the determined downlink channel quality is based on the determined downlink channel quality and the determined coverage level.

The apparatus may be configured to receive, at the user equipment, signalling from the network, wherein the signalling comprises information and determine a coverage level for use by the user equipment based on the information.

The apparatus may be configured to provide the indication of the determined coverage level to the network in a random access message.

The signalling may comprise broadcast signalling.

The information may comprise system information.

The signalling may comprise dedicated signalling.

The indication of the downlink channel quality may comprise at least one value based on mapping the determined downlink channel quality to the determined coverage level.

The apparatus may be configured to provide the indication of the determined downlink channel quality in a radio resource control message. In a sixth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including a computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to receive, from a UE, an indication of a determined coverage level and an indication of determined downlink channel quality, wherein the indication of determined downlink channel quality is based on a downlink channel quality determined by the user equipment and the determined coverage level.

The apparatus may be configured to determine downlink channel quality based on the indication of determined downlink channel quality and the indication of a determined coverage level.

The apparatus may be configured to perform link adaptation based on the downlink channel quality.

The apparatus may be configured to provide, to the user equipment, signalling from the network, wherein the signalling comprises information and determine a coverage level for use by the user equipment based on the information.

The apparatus may be configured to receive the indication of the determined coverage level form the user equipment in a random access message.

The signalling may comprise broadcast signalling.

The information may comprise system information.

The signalling may comprise dedicated signalling.

The indication of the downlink channel quality may comprise at least one value based on mapping the determined downlink channel quality to the determined coverage level. The apparatus may be configured to receive the indication of the determined downlink channel quality from the user equipment in a radio resource control message.

In a seventh aspect there is provided a computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following determining downlink channel quality at a user equipment, determining a coverage level for use by the user equipment and providing to a network an indication of the determined coverage level and an indication of the determined downlink channel quality, wherein the indication of the determined downlink channel quality is based on the determined downlink channel quality and the determined coverage level.

The apparatus may be caused to perform receiving, at the user equipment, signalling from the network, wherein the signalling comprises information and determining a coverage level for use by the user equipment based on the information.

The apparatus may be caused to perform providing the indication of the determined coverage level to the network in a random access message.

The signalling may comprise broadcast signalling.

The information may comprise system information.

The signalling may comprise dedicated signalling.

The apparatus may be caused to perform providing the indication of the determined downlink channel quality in a radio resource control message. In an eighth aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following receive, from a UE, an indication of a determined coverage level and an indication of determined downlink channel quality, wherein the indication of determined downlink channel quality is based on a downlink channel quality determined by the user equipment and the determined coverage level.

The apparatus may be caused to perform determining downlink channel quality based on the indication of determined downlink channel quality and the indication of a determined coverage level.

The apparatus may be caused to perform performing link adaptation based on the downlink channel quality.

The apparatus may be caused to perform providing, to the user equipment, signalling from the network, wherein the signalling comprises information and determining a coverage level for use by the user equipment based on the information.

The apparatus may be caused to perform receiving the indication of the determined coverage level form the user equipment in a random access message.

The signalling may comprise broadcast signalling.

The information may comprise system information.

The signalling may comprise dedicated signalling.

The apparatus may be caused to perform receiving the indication of the determined downlink channel quality from the user equipment in a radio resource control message. In a further aspect there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method of the third aspect or the method of the fourth aspect.

In the above, many different embodiments have been described. It should be appreciated that further embodiments may be provided by the combination of any two or more of the embodiments described above.

Description of Figures

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an example communication system comprising a base station and a plurality of communication devices;

Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of an example mobile communication device;

Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of an example control apparatus;

Figure 4 shows a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment;

Figure 5 shows a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment;

Figure 6 shows a signalling flow according to an embodiment.

Detailed description

Before explaining in detail the examples, certain general principles of a wireless communication system and mobile communication devices are briefly explained with reference to Figures 1 to 3 to assist in understanding the technology underlying the described examples.

In a wireless communication system 100, such as that shown in figure 1 , mobile communication devices or user equipment (UE) 102, 104, 105 are provided wireless access via at least one base station or similar wireless transmitting and/or receiving node or point. Base stations are typically controlled by at least one appropriate controller apparatus, so as to enable operation thereof and management of mobile communication devices in communication with the base stations. The controller apparatus may be located in a radio access network (e.g. wireless communication system 100) or in a core network (CN) (not shown) and may be implemented as one central apparatus or its functionality may be distributed over several apparatuses. The controller apparatus may be part of the base station and/or provided by a separate entity such as a Radio Network Controller. In Figure 1 control apparatus 108 and 109 are shown to control the respective macro level base stations 106 and 107. The control apparatus of a base station can be interconnected with other control entities. The control apparatus is typically provided with memory capacity and at least one data processor. The control apparatus and functions may be distributed between a plurality of control units. In some systems, the control apparatus may additionally or alternatively be provided in a radio network controller.

In Figure 1 base stations 106 and 107 are shown as connected to a wider communications network 1 13 via gateway 1 12. A further gateway function may be provided to connect to another network.

The smaller base stations 1 16, 1 18 and 120 may also be connected to the network 1 13, for example by a separate gateway function and/or via the controllers of the macro level stations. The base stations 1 16, 118 and 120 may be pico or femto level base stations or the like. In the example, stations 1 16 and 1 18 are connected via a gateway 1 1 1 whilst station 120 connects via the controller apparatus 108. In some embodiments, the smaller stations may not be provided. Smaller base stations 1 16, 1 18 and 120 may be part of a second network, for example WLAN and may be WLAN APs.

The communication devices 102, 104, 105 may access the communication system based on various access techniques, such as code division multiple access (CDMA), or wideband CDMA (WCDMA). Other non-limiting examples comprise time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA) and various schemes thereof such as the interleaved frequency division multiple access (IFDMA), single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) and orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), space division multiple access (SDMA) and so on.

An example of wireless communication systems are architectures standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). A latest 3GPP based development is often referred to as the long term evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile T elecommunications System (UMTS) radio-access technology. The various development stages of the 3GPP specifications are referred to as releases. More recent developments of the LTE are often referred to as LTE Advanced (LTE-A). The LTE (LTE-A) employs a radio mobile architecture known as the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) and a core network known as the Evolved Packet Core (EPC). Base stations of such systems are known as evolved or enhanced Node Bs (eNBs) and provide E-UTRAN features such as user plane Packet Data Convergence/Radio Link Control/Medium Access Control/Physical layer protocol (PDCP/RLC/MAC/PHY) and control plane Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol terminations towards the communication devices. Other examples of radio access system comprise those provided by base stations of systems that are based on technologies such as wireless local area network (WLAN) and/or WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access). A base station can provide coverage for an entire cell or similar radio service area. Core network elements include Mobility Management Entity (MME), Serving Gateway (S-GW) and Packet Gateway (P-GW).

An example of a suitable communications system is the 5G or NR concept. Network architecture in NR may be similar to that of LTE-advanced. Base stations of NR systems may be known as next generation Node Bs (gNBs). Changes to the network architecture may depend on the need to support various radio technologies and finer QoS support, and some on-demand requirements for e.g. QoS levels to support QoE of user point of view. Also network aware services and applications, and service and application aware networks may bring changes to the architecture. Those are related to Information Centric Network (ICN) and User-Centric Content Delivery Network (UC-CDN) approaches. NR may use multiple input - multiple output (MIMO) antennas, many more base stations or nodes than the LTE (a so- called small cell concept), including macro sites operating in co-operation with smaller stations and perhaps also employing a variety of radio technologies for better coverage and enhanced data rates.

Future networks may utilise network functions virtualization (NFV) which is a network architecture concept that proposes virtualizing network node functions into“building blocks” or entities that may be operationally connected or linked together to provide services. A virtualized network function (VNF) may comprise one or more virtual machines running computer program codes using standard or general type servers instead of customized hardware. Cloud computing or data storage may also be utilized. In radio communications this may mean node operations to be carried out, at least partly, in a server, host or node operationally coupled to a remote radio head. It is also possible that node operations will be distributed among a plurality of servers, nodes or hosts. It should also be understood that the distribution of labour between core network operations and base station operations may differ from that of the LTE or even be non-existent.

An example 5G core network (CN) comprises functional entities. The CN is connected to a UE via the radio access network (RAN). An UPF (User Plane Function) whose role is called PSA (PDU Session Anchor) may be responsible for forwarding frames back and forth between the DN (data network) and the tunnels established over the 5G towards the UE(s) exchanging traffic with the DN.

The UPF is controlled by an SMF (Session Management Function) that receives policies from a PCF (Policy Control Function). The CN may also include an AMF (Access & Mobility Function).

A possible mobile communication device will now be described in more detail with reference to Figure 2 showing a schematic, partially sectioned view of a communication device 200. Such a communication device is often referred to as user equipment (UE) or terminal. An appropriate mobile communication device may be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting examples comprise a mobile station (MS) or mobile device such as a mobile phone or what is known as a’smart phone’, a computer provided with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facility (e.g., USB dongle), personal data assistant (PDA) or a tablet provided with wireless communication capabilities, or any combinations of these or the like. A mobile communication device may provide, for example, communication of data for carrying communications such as voice, electronic mail (email), text message, multimedia and so on. Users may thus be offered and provided numerous services via their communication devices. Non-limiting examples of these services comprise two-way or multi-way calls, data communication or multimedia services or simply an access to a data communications network system, such as the Internet. Users may also be provided broadcast or multicast data. Non-limiting examples of the content comprise downloads, television and radio programs, videos, advertisements, various alerts and other information.

A mobile device is typically provided with at least one data processing entity 201 , at least one memory 202 and other possible components 203 for use in software and hardware aided execution of tasks it is designed to perform, including control of access to and communications with access systems and other communication devices. The data processing, storage and other relevant control apparatus can be provided on an appropriate circuit board and/or in chipsets. This feature is denoted by reference 204. The user may control the operation of the mobile device by means of a suitable user interface such as key pad 205, voice commands, touch sensitive screen or pad, combinations thereof or the like. A display 208, a speaker and a microphone can be also provided. Furthermore, a mobile communication device may comprise appropriate connectors (either wired or wireless) to other devices and/or for connecting external accessories, for example hands-free equipment, thereto.

The mobile device 200 may receive signals over an air or radio interface 207 via appropriate apparatus for receiving and may transmit signals via appropriate apparatus for transmitting radio signals. In Figure 2 transceiver apparatus is designated schematically by block 206. The transceiver apparatus 206 may be provided for example by means of a radio part and associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the mobile device.

Figure 3 shows an example of a control apparatus for a communication system, for example to be coupled to and/or for controlling a station of an access system, such as a RAN node, e.g. a base station, eNB or gNB, a relay node or a core network node such as an MME or S- GW or P-GW, or a core network function such as AMF/SMF, or a server or host. The method may be implanted in a single control apparatus or across more than one control apparatus. The control apparatus may be integrated with or external to a node or module of a core network or RAN. In some embodiments, base stations comprise a separate control apparatus unit or module. In other embodiments, the control apparatus can be another network element such as a radio network controller or a spectrum controller. In some embodiments, each base station may have such a control apparatus as well as a control apparatus being provided in a radio network controller. The control apparatus 300 can be arranged to provide control on communications in the service area of the system. The control apparatus 300 comprises at least one memory 301 , at least one data processing unit 302, 303 and an input/output interface 304. Via the interface the control apparatus can be coupled to a receiver and a transmitter of the base station. The receiver and/or the transmitter may be implemented as a radio front end or a remote radio head.

The so-call fifth generation (5G) or new radio (NR) standard has proposed enhanced machine type communication (eMTC) and narrowband internet-of-things (NB-loT) to support internet of things (loT) technology.

For NB-loT, a UE reports downlink channel quality using RRC messages (e.g. MSG3s, i.e., RRCConnectionReestablishmentRequest-NB, RRCConnectionRequest-NB and RRCConnectionResumeRequest-NB). An eNB may use the DL channel quality report for link adaptation purposes during a connection setup procedure. The available space in RRC messages may limit the number of DL channel quality values which can be included. Two different value ranges have been agreed; thirteen values and four values for a short version.

The information element (IE) CQI-NPDCCH-NB represents the DL channel quality measurements. The codepoints for the CQI-NPDCCH measurements are according to the mapping table in TS 36.133. The value no measurements indicates no measurement results available.

CQI-NPDCCH-NB information element

-- ASN1START

CQI -NPDCCH-NB-r14 ::= ENUMERATED {

noMeasurements , candidateRep-A, candidateRep-B, candidateRep-C, candidateRep-D, candidateRep-E, candidateRep-F, candidateRep-G, candidateRep-H, candidateRep-I , candidateRep-J, candidateRep-K, candidateRep-L}

- - ASN1STOP

The IE CQI-NPDCCH-Short-NB represents the short version of the DL channel quality measurement. The codepoints for the CQI-NPDCCH-Short measurements are according to the mapping table in TS 36.133. The value no measurements indicates no measurement results available.

CQI-NPDCCH-Short-NB information element

-- ASN1START

CQI-NPDCCH-Short-NB-r14 ENUMERATED {

noMeasurements, candidateRep-1 , candidateRep-2 , candidateRep-

3}

-- ASN1STOP

Only the short version can be included in a RRCConnectionReestablishmentRequest-NB. This may not be optimal for link adaptation purposes.

Figure 4 shows a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment. The method may provide improved DL channel quality reporting. The method may be performed at a user equipment.

In a first step, S1 , the method comprises determining downlink channel quality at a user equipment. In a second step, S2, the method comprises determining a coverage level for use by the user equipment.

In a third step, S3, the method comprises providing to the network an indication of the determined downlink channel quality and an indication of the determined coverage level, wherein the indication of the determined downlink channel quality is based on the determined downlink channel quality and the determined coverage level.

Determining DL channel quality at the UE may comprise the UE measuring DL channel quality.

Figure 5 shows a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment. The method may be performed at a base station of a network. The method may provide improved DL channel quality reporting.

In a first step, T1 , the method comprises receiving, from a user equipment, an indication of downlink channel quality and an indication of a coverage level determined for use by the user equipment, wherein the indication of determined downlink channel quality is based on a downlink channel quality determined by the user equipment and the determined coverage level.

The method may comprise determining, at a network, downlink channel quality based on the indication of determined downlink channel quality and the indication of a determined coverage level. The method may comprise performing link adaptation based on the downlink channel quality determined based on the indication of determined downlink channel quality and the indication of a determined coverage level.

The indication of the determined downlink channel quality may be at least one value based on mapping the determined downlink channel quality to the determined coverage level.

Mapping of the values can be done in the RAN4 specifications e.g. as follows in Table 1

Table 1 Similar mapping may be done for longer CQI-NPDCCH (physical downlink control channel) values.

The indication may be provided in a RRC message, such as RRCConnectionReestablishmentRequest-NB, RRCConnectionRequest-NB and RRCConnectionResumeRequest-NB.

The method may comprise receiving, at the user equipment, signalling from the network, wherein the signalling comprises information and determining a coverage level for use by the user equipment based on the information. Determining the coverage level may be performed based on the parameters received from the signalling and UE measurements. The signalling may comprise broadcast signalling or dedicated signalling. The information may comprise system information, where the signalling is broadcast signalling.

The information may comprise a threshold value associated with a coverage level. The information may comprise an indication of resources associated with a coverage level. The resources may comprise random access resources (i.e. resources for transmitting and/or receiving a random access message).

That is, the information (e.g., system information) may comprise an indication of random access resources (physical random access channel (PRACH) resource, Random Access Preambles group, Random Access Preamble etc.) associated with a given coverage level. The random access resource may be selected based on the UE’s current enhanced coverage level. The method may comprise providing the indication of the determined coverage level to the network in a random access message

Figure 6 shows an example signalling diagram between a UE and a network which may be used in some embodiments. In this example, the base station of the network is an eNB.

When radio link failure occurs for a UE in connected mode, the UE performs cell selection and selects a cell.

An eNB associated with the cell provides system information. The system information comprises an indication of PRACH resources associated with three different coverage levels (1 , 2, 3) and thresholds associated with the coverage levels for selecting the coverage level. The UE measures the serving cell DL channel quality.

The UE determines a coverage level for use by the UE (in this example the coverage level is

2).

The UE determines the DL channel quality to be reported based on the measured DL channel quality and based on the current coverage level.

The UE provides a random access preamble to the eNB and receives a random access response from the eNB. The random access preamble includes an indication of the determined coverage level.

The UE provides a RRCConnectionReestablishmentRequest message to the eNB. The RRCConnectionReestablishmentRequest message includes an indication of the DL channel quality.

Based on the indication (i.e. the reported value) and the coverage level, the eNB determines DL channel quality for link adaptation.

The eNB then provides a RRCConnectionReestablishment message to the UE (transmitted using the determined link adaptation) and receives a RRCConnectionReestablishmentComplete message from the UE such that the RRC connection is established.

In the method described above with reference to Figures 4 to 6, channel quality indicator (CQI) mapping such that the mapping depends on the current UE coverage level (channel quality) is used. The UE determines the DL channel quality value to be reported based on the measured DL channel quality and on the UE’s current coverage level. The eNB can then determine the DL channel quality based on the DL channel quality reported value and the reported coverage level.

This method may improve the granularity of DL channel quality, more values are created by mapping the reported CQI values to the UEs current coverage level. More DL channel quality values can be included in different MSG3s. Link adaptation may be improved for connection establishment The method may be implemented in a user equipment as described with reference to Figure 2 or a control apparatus as described with reference to figure 3.

An apparatus may comprise means [for determining, at a user equipment, downlink channel quality, determining a coverage level for use by the user equipment and providing to a network an indication of the determined coverage level and an indication of the determined downlink channel quality, wherein the indication of the determined downlink channel quality is based on the determined downlink channel quality and the determined coverage level.

Alternatively, or in addition, an apparatus may comprise means for receiving, from a user equipment, an indication of a determined coverage level and an indication of determined downlink channel quality, wherein the indication of determined downlink channel quality is based on a downlink channel quality determined by the user equipment and the determined coverage level.

It should be understood that the apparatuses may comprise or be coupled to other units or modules etc., such as radio parts or radio heads, used in or for transmission and/or reception. Although the apparatuses have been described as one entity, different modules and memory may be implemented in one or more physical or logical entities.

It is noted that whilst embodiments have been described in relation to NB loT and eMTC, similar principles can be applied in relation to other networks and communication systems where DL channel quality reporting is performed. Therefore, although certain embodiments were described above by way of example with reference to certain example architectures for wireless networks, technologies and standards, embodiments may be applied to any other suitable forms of communication systems than those illustrated and described herein.

It is also noted herein that while the above describes example embodiments, there are several variations and modifications which may be made to the disclosed solution without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In general, the various embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects of the invention may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although the invention is not limited thereto. While various aspects of the invention may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

The embodiments of this invention may be implemented by computer software executable by a data processor of the mobile device, such as in the processor entity, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Computer software or program, also called program product, including software routines, applets and/or macros, may be stored in any apparatus- readable data storage medium and they comprise program instructions to perform particular tasks. A computer program product may comprise one or more computer-executable components which, when the program is run, are configured to carry out embodiments. The one or more computer-executable components may be at least one software code or portions of it.

Further in this regard it should be noted that any blocks of the logic flow as in the Figures may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks and functions. The software may be stored on such physical media as memory chips, or memory blocks implemented within the processor, magnetic media such as hard disk or floppy disks, and optical media such as for example DVD and the data variants thereof, CD. The physical media is a non-transitory media.

The memory may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The data processors may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may comprise one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), FPGA, gate level circuits and processors based on multi core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples.

Embodiments of the inventions may be practiced in various components such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is by and large a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools are available for converting a logic level design into a semiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate. The foregoing description has provided by way of non-limiting examples a full and informative description of the exemplary embodiment of this invention. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings of this invention will still fall within the scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims. Indeed, there is a further embodiment comprising a combination of one or more embodiments with any of the other embodiments previously discussed.

Claims

1. An apparatus, said apparatus comprising means for:

determining, at a user equipment, downlink channel quality;

determining a coverage level for use by the user equipment; and

providing to a network an indication of the determined coverage level and an indication of the determined downlink channel quality, wherein the indication of the determined downlink channel quality is based on the determined downlink channel quality and the determined coverage level.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , comprising means for receiving, at the user equipment, signalling from the network, wherein the signalling comprises information; and

determining a coverage level for use by the user equipment based on the information.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information comprises a threshold value associated with a coverage level.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the information comprises an indication of resources associated with a coverage level.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the resources comprise random access resources.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, comprising means for providing the indication of the determined coverage level to the network in a random access message.

7. An apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the signalling comprises broadcast signalling.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the information comprises system information.

9. An apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the signalling comprises dedicated signalling.

10. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the indication of the downlink channel quality comprises at least one value based on mapping the determined downlink channel quality to the determined coverage level.

11. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 10, comprising means for providing the indication of the determined downlink channel quality in a radio resource control message.

12. An apparatus, said apparatus comprising means for:

receiving, from a user equipment, an indication of a determined coverage level and an indication of determined downlink channel quality, wherein the indication of determined downlink channel quality is based on a downlink channel quality determined by the user equipment and the determined coverage level.

13. An apparatus according claim 12, comprising means for determining downlink channel quality based on the indication of determined downlink channel quality and the indication of a determined coverage level.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, comprising means for performing link adaptation based on the downlink channel quality.

15. A method comprising:

determining downlink channel quality at a user equipment;

determining a coverage level for use by the user equipment; and

16. A method comprising:

receiving, from a UE, an indication of a determined coverage level and an indication of determined downlink channel quality, wherein the indication of determined downlink channel quality is based on a downlink channel quality determined by the user equipment and the determined coverage level.

17. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor and at least one memory including a computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:

determine downlink channel quality at a user equipment;

determine a coverage level for use by the user equipment; and

provide to a network an indication of the determined coverage level and an indication of the determined downlink channel quality, wherein the indication of the determined downlink channel quality is based on the determined downlink channel quality and the determined coverage level.

18. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor and at least one memory including a computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:

receive, from a UE, an indication of a determined coverage level and an indication of determined downlink channel quality, wherein the indication of determined downlink channel quality is based on a downlink channel quality determined by the user equipment and the determined coverage level.

19. A computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following:

determining downlink channel quality at a user equipment;

determining a coverage level for use by the user equipment; and

20. A computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: