WO2018143858A1

WO2018143858A1 - Reliable wireless communication with short tti modifications

Info

Publication number: WO2018143858A1
Application number: PCT/SE2017/051357
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gustav WIKSTRÖM; Muhammad Kazmi; Torsten DUDDA; Zhenhua Zou
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 2017-01-31
Filing date: 2017-12-29
Publication date: 2018-08-09

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method for a network node, the method comprising allocating a first set of physical resources for transmission of control information, allocating a second set of physical resources for transmission of data information, wherein a total number of physical resources comprised in the first and second set of physical resources is less than or equal to an obtained maximum number, transmitting a wireless signal SC comprising the control information and the data information using the first and second set of physical resources.

Description

Reliable wireless communication with Short TTI modifications Technical field

The present disclosure relates to wireless devices, such as a user equipment and a network node, for a wireless communication system. Furthermore, the present disclosure also relates to corresponding, methods, computer programs and computer program products.

Background

In wireless communication networks, information is transmitted wirelessly between the different wireless devices of the system. For example, information may be transmitted downlink, (DL) from a wireless device, such as a network node/base station (BS), to a wireless device, such as a user equipment (UE), or uplink (UL) from the UE/wireless device to the network node. The information may be both data and control information, and different physical layer channels may be used for carrying the information depending on whether the transmission is uplink or downlink, and whether the information contains data information, control information or a combination of both.

Packet data transmission latency is one of the performance metrics that vendors, operators and also end-users regularly measures, e.g. via speed test applications. Latency measurements are done in all phases of a radio access network system lifetime, when verifying a new software release or system component, when deploying a system and when the system is in commercial operation. Shorter latency than previous generations of 3GPP RATs was one performance metric that guided the design of Long Term Evolution, LTE. LTE is also now recognized by the end-users to be a system that provides faster access to internet and lower data latencies than previous generations of mobile radio technologies.

Packet data latency is important not only for the perceived responsiveness of the system; it is also a parameter that indirectly influences the throughput of the system. HTTP/TCP is the dominating application and transport layer protocol suite used on the internet today. According to HTTP Archive, see http://httparchive.org/trends.php, the typical size of HTTP based transactions over the internet are in the range of a few 10's of Kbyte up to 1 Mbyte. In this size range, the TCP slow start period is a significant part of the total transport period of the packet stream. During TCP slow start the performance is latency limited. Hence, improved latency can rather easily be shown to improve the average throughput, in particular for this type of TCP based data transactions. Radio resource efficiency could be positively impacted by latency reductions. Lower packet data latency could increase the number of transmissions possible within a certain delay bound; hence higher Block Error Rate (BLER) targets could be used for the data transmissions freeing up radio resources potentially improving the capacity of the system.

One area to address when it comes to packet latency reductions is the reduction of transport time of data and control signaling, by addressing the length of a transmission time interval, TTI. In LTE release 8, a TTI corresponds to one sub frame, SF, with a length of 1 millisecond. One such 1 ms TTI is constructed by using 14 Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access, OFDM, or Single Carrier- Frequency Division Multiple Access, SC-FDMA, symbols in the case of normal cyclic prefix and 12 OFDM or SC-FDMA symbols in the case of extended cyclic prefix. In LTE release 13, a study item is starting during 2015, with the goal of specifying transmissions with shorter TTIs, referred to as sTTIs, that are much shorter than the LTE release 8 TTI.

The shorter sTTIs can have any duration in time and comprise resources on a number of OFDM or SC-FDMA symbols within a 1 ms SF. As one example, the duration of the short sTTI may be 0.5 ms, i.e. seven OFDM or SC-FDMA symbols for the case with normal cyclic prefix. As another example, the duration of the short sTTI may be 2 symbols.

The existing LTE physical layer channels are used to carry control/data information uplink or downlink. The existing LTE physical layer downlink control channels, Physical Downlink Control Channel, PDCCH, and enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel, ePDCCH, may be used to carry Downlink Control Information, DCI. Further, the existing LTE physical layer uplink control channels, Physical Uplink Control Channel, PUCCH, Physical Uplink Shared Channel, PUSCH, Short PUCCH, sPUCCH, or extended PUCCH, ePUCCH, are used to carry Uplink Control Information, UCI. The control information is typically carried by the physical layer channels using a number of predetermined formats or transport formats. Each format is associated to a particular payload size, able to include the control information and/or data information. Further the format is associated to a particular encoding or code, thus providing a certain transmission reliability or tolerance to control/data information bit errors. Each format may further be associated to modulation symbols and/or physical resource allocation, such as allocated physical resource blocks and/or symbols.

A problem with the current LTE transmission of control information, e.g. carried by PDCCH or Short Physical Downlink Control Channel sPDCCH, is that the lowest achievable error probability is in the order of 0.1 %. This means that an entire combined transmission of control information and data information will not have a reliability or transmission reliability above this level. Using higher layer solutions, such as HARQ or RLC, retransmissions could be triggered in order to ensure a total combined reliability at the required level. However, such a procedure would be time consuming, increase latency and may not be possible to perform at the 1 ms level.

A further problem with the current LTE transmission is that the distribution of the available payload is fixed between control information and data information.

Thus there is a need to provide a solution which mitigates or solves the described drawbacks and problems, such as obtaining a low error probability.

Summary

An objective of embodiments of the invention is to provide a solution which mitigates or solves the drawbacks and problems described above. The above and further objectives are achieved by the subject matter described herein. Further advantageous embodiments or implementation forms of the invention are also defined herein.

According to a first aspect of the disclosure, the above mentioned and other objectives are achieved with a method for a network node, the method comprising allocating a first set of physical resources for transmission of control information, allocating a second set of physical resources for transmission of data information, wherein a total number of physical resources comprised in the first and second set of physical resources is less than or equal to an obtained maximum number, transmitting one or more wireless signals comprising the control information and the data information using the first and second set of physical resources.

At least one advantage of the first aspect, is that a low error probability is obtained by providing a flexible distribution of physical resources between control information and data information.

According to a second aspect of the disclosure, the above mentioned and other objectives are achieved with a network node configured for communication in a wireless communication network.

The advantages of the second aspect are the same as for the first aspect.

Further applications and advantages of embodiments of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description. A more complete understanding of embodiments of the invention will be afforded to those skilled in the art, as well as a realization of additional advantages thereof, by a consideration of the following detailed description of one or more embodiments.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 show a wireless device, such as a UE or network node, configured for communication in a wireless communication network.

Fig. 2 shows a flowchart of a method according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

Fig. 3 shows an example of a first and second set of allocated physical resources allocated according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

Fig. 4 shows how frequency resources changes between subsequent time resources according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

Fig. 5 shows an example of information fields encoded in the control information according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. Fig. 6 shows a flow chart of signaling according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

Fig. 7 shows a flowchart of a method 700 according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

Fig. 8 shows a network node 800 according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

Fig. 9 shows a wireless device 100 according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

It should be appreciated that like reference numerals are used to identify like elements illustrated in one or more of the figures.

Detailed description

An "or" in this description and the corresponding claims is to be understood as a mathematical OR which covers "and" and "or", and is not to be understand as an XOR (exclusive OR). The indefinite article "a" in this disclosure and claims is not limited to "one" and can also be understood as "one or more", i.e., plural.

The present disclosure provides a new type of control channel type or method of controlling transmission of control and data information for physical resource transmissions such as short TTI transmission. The transmission may be sent within the framework of short TTI, sTTI, also referred to as a short sub frame. The new control channel or the control information carried by the control channel fills at least one entire time resource, e.g. an initial sTTI. The initial sTTI is allocated physical resources according to a search space defined in Radio Resource Control RRC, Semi-Persistent Scheduling SPS or Physical Downlink Control Channel PDCCH signaling, and indicates the allocation of physical resources of a number of sTTIs carrying data information subsequent to the initial at least one leading sTTI. The data information may be comprised in a packet, which is coded or encoded over the number of subsequent sTTIs, e.g. using a low code rate. Much of the information needed to decode the data information may be implicit based on the control transmission or the transmission comprising the control information. The disclosed methods disclosed herein therefore results in a low payload or reduced bandwidth required by the control information.

In a further aspect of this invention, the control channel or control information is encoded over a set of multiple N time resources, e.g. N number of sTTIs. The parameter N may be pre-defined or configurable by the network node and is adjusted based on one or more criteria e.g. transmission reliability level, radio conditions, UE receiver capability etc.

In yet a further aspect of this invention, out of a total number, M, of physical resources in the form of time resources, e.g. M sTTIs, specified for control channel and data channel, the UE can be dynamically or semi-statically configured to receive the control channel over N time resources and data channel over K time resources where, N+K < M and parameter N and K can be based one or more criteria e.g. required data rate, reliability of control channel etc.

In a further aspect, the UE can be configured to transmit the control channel and/or the data channel on different frequency sub bands between sub frames, i.e. applying a frequency hopping sequence. The frequency hopping sequence may be configured through a bit-map or follows a pre-defined or predetermined pattern. The frequency hopping sequences are complementary to each other so that they, as a whole, utilize all time-frequency resource blocks on a range of frequency sub bands or a set of continuous frequency sub carriers.

At least one advantage of the present disclosure is that it enables transmissions with very high reliability within a time span less than a sub frame or legacy LTE TTI. This is achieved by varying a first number N of sTTIs used for transmission of control information. The framework of sTTI can be reused and scheduling can therefore be done together with other short TTI users, e.g. in the remaining parts of a PRB.

The present disclosure provides a new downlink or uplink control channel type and/or a method of controlling transmission of control and data information, e.g. for short TTI transmission. The number of short TTIs used for transmission of control and data information may be indicated to the UE.

The control or method is designed to be of low payload or require a low amount of payload or signaling capacity. This is due to the position or allocation of physical resources, such as frequency resources, of the data information transmission may be implicitly derived.

In some embodiments herein a term wireless device is used and it can correspond to any type of wireless communication device, such as a UE or network node, which communicates with user equipments, UEs, or with network nodes or any other wireless communications network nodes. In some embodiments the non-limiting term user equipment (UE) is used interchangeably with wireless device and refers to any type of wireless device communicating with a network node or with another UE in a cellular, mobile communication system or wireless communication network. Examples of a UE are a target device, a device to device (D2D) UE, a machine type UE or a UE capable of machine to machine (M2M) communication, a PDA, a PAD, a Tablet, a mobile terminal, a smart phone, a laptop embedded equipped (LEE), a laptop mounted equipment (LME), a USB dongle, a ProSe UE, a V2V UE, a V2X UE, a MTC UE, a eMTC UE, a FeMTC UE, a UE Cat 0, a UE Cat M1 , a narrow band lot (NB-loT) UE, a UE Cat NB1 , etc.

In some embodiments herein a further term "network node" is used and it can correspond to any type of wireless device, radio network node, any network node or wireless communication network node, which communicates with one or more other wireless devices, e.g. a UE, and/or with other network nodes. Examples of network nodes are NodeB, MeNB, SeNB, gNB, a network node belonging to MCG or SCG, base station (BS), multi-standard radio (MSR) radio node such as MSR BS, eNodeB, network controller, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), relay, donor node controlling relay, base transceiver station (BTS), access point (AP), transmission points, transmission nodes, RRU, RRH, nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS), core network node (e.g. MSC, MME, etc), O&M, OSS, SON, positioning node (e.g. E-SMLC), MDT, test equipment, etc. The embodiments herein are described for LTE based systems such as MTC, eMTC, NB-loT etc. As an example MTC UE, eMTC UE and NB-loT UE also called as UE category 0, UE category M1 and UE category NB1 . However the embodiments are applicable to any Radio Access Technology RAT or multi-RAT systems, where the UE receives and/or transmit signals (e.g. data) e.g. LTE FDD/TDD, WCDMA/HSPA, GSM/GERAN, Wi Fi, WLAN, CDMA2000, 5G, NR, etc.

The term signal or wireless signal used herein can be a physical signal or it can be a physical channel. A physical signal does not contain higher layer information whereas a physical channel contains higher layer information or data. Examples of physical channels are short Physical Uplink Shared Channel sPUSCHand short Physical Downlink Control Channel sPDCCH.

The term physical resource may comprise of a time resource and/or a frequency resource. The term time resource used herein may correspond to any type of physical resource or radio resource expressed in terms of length of time. Examples of time resources are: symbol, time slot, sub frame, radio frame, TTI, interleaving time, special sub frame, UpPTS, short TTI, sTTI, short sub frame, SSF, etc.

The term a frequency resource used herein may correspond to any type of physical resource or radio resource expressed in terms of frequency bandwidth. Examples of a physical resource are resource block, RB, Physical Resource Block, PRB, virtual RB, VRB, resource element, RE etc.

The UE may operate under either normal coverage or enhanced coverage with respect to a cell e.g. serving cell, neighbor cell, reference cell etc. The enhanced coverage is also interchangeably called as the extended coverage. The UE may also operate in a plurality of coverage levels e.g. normal coverage, enhanced coverage level 1 , enhanced coverage level 2, enhanced coverage level 3 and so on. In case of extended/enhanced coverage, the UE may be capable of operating under lower signal quality level (e.g. SNR, SINR, ratio of average received signal energy per subcarrier to total received power per subcarrier (Es/lot)), RSRQ etc) compared to its capabilities when operating in legacy systems. The coverage level enhancement may vary with the operational scenario and may also depend on the UE type, UE capability or UE receiver capability. The coverage level may be expressed in terms of received signal quality and/or received signal strength at the UE with regards to its serving cell or received signal quality and/or received signal strength at the serving cell with regards to the UE. The coverage level of the UE or coverage enhancement (CE) level may also be defined with respect to any cell such as a neighbor cell. For example in terms of received signal quality and/or received signal strength at the UE with regards to a target cell on which it performs one or more radio measurements.

The term "configured to" may be used interchangeably with "adapted to" or "operative to" in the disclosure herein.

The term "memory" may be used interchangeably with "computer readable medium" or "non-transitory computer readable medium" in the disclosure herein.

Fig. 1 show a wireless device 100, such as a UE or network node, configured for communication in a wireless communication network. The wireless device comprises processing circuitry. The processing circuitry comprises at least a processor 102, and a memory 106, said memory 106 containing instructions executable by said processor, whereby said first wireless device 100 is operative to perform the method of any of the embodiments described herein. The processor 102 is communicatively coupled to a transceiver 104. The transceiver 104 is operative to receive information, such as control information or data information, from the processor 102 and generate a wireless signal S for a wireless communication system or to receive the wireless signal S for a wireless communication system, demodulate the wireless signal S to information and send to the processor 102. Further, the wireless device 100 may further comprise one or more optional antennas 108, as shown in Fig. 1 . The antenna/s 108 is/are coupled to the transceiver 104 and is configured to transmit/emit or receive a wireless signals S for a wireless communication system, e.g. transmit control information included in the wireless signals S. The processor and/or a processor unit may be, e.g. processing circuitry and/or a central processing unit and/or processor modules and/or multiple processors configured to cooperate with each-other. The memory 106 may contain instructions executable by the processor 102 to perform the methods described herein. The memory 106 may comprise of essentially any memory, such as a ROM (Readonly Memory), a PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable PROM), a Flash memory, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable PROM), or a hard disk drive. The processor 102 may be communicatively coupled to any or all of the transceiver 104 and the memory 106.

In an embodiment, the wireless device 100 comprises a UE, which comprises all or a selection of features of the wireless device as described in relation to Fig. 1 .

In an embodiment, the wireless device 100 comprises a network node, which comprises all or a selection of features of the wireless device as described in relation to Fig. 1 .

In an embodiment, the new method described herein is defined for reliable low latency (critical) communication.

Fig. 2 shows a flowchart of a method 200 according to the present disclosure. The method may be implemented in a network node configured for communication in a wireless communication network. The method comprises:

STEP 210: allocating a first set of physical resources for transmission of control information. The first set of physical radio resources may e.g. be comprised in a first set of short transmission time intervals, sTTIs. The method may further comprise providing first allocation information indicative of the first set of physical resources. The first allocation information may be provided in a search space, further described in relation to Fig. 6.

In an example, the time resources of the first set of physical resources follows the TTI pattern as defined for Short TTI operation in LTE. In a further example, the first set of physical radio resources may comprise control information or encoded control information that fills the payload offered by at least one entire Short TTI, sTTI, in the time domain. The control information may include uplink control information, UCI, or downlink control information, DCI. The allocation may be performed by the network node. The first set of physical resources may comprise one to a number N of sTTIs. The first set of physical radio resources may comprise one or more Physical Resource Blocks, PRBs.

STEP 220: allocating a second set of physical resources for transmission of data information. The second set of physical radio resources may e.g. be comprised in a second set of sTTIs being subsequent to the first set of sTTIs. A total number of physical resources comprised in the first and second set of physical resources is less than or equal to an maximum number M. The maximum number M may be obtained based one or more criteria e.g. required data rate, reliability of control channel etc. Obtaining the maximum number M is further described below.

In an example, the time resources of the second set of physical radio resources follows the TTI pattern as defined for Short TTI operation in LTE. In a further example, the data information or encoded data information fills the payload offered by at least one entire Short TTI, sTTI, in the time domain. The data information may include uplink data information or downlink data information. The allocation may be performed by the wireless device 100 or the network node. The second set of sTTIs may comprise one to a number K of sTTIs. The second set of physical radio resources may comprise one or more Physical Resource Blocks, PRBs.

OPTIONAL STEP 230: generating control information that is at least indicative of the second set of physical resources. The control information may comprise scheduling information for subsequent short TTIs in DL and/or UL, e.g. for transmission of data information. The method may further comprise providing second allocation information indicative of the second set of physical resources. The second allocation information may be comprised in the control information.

OPTIONAL STEP 240: encoding 240 the control information over a first number N of sTTIs.

OPTIONAL STEP 250: encoding the data information over a second number K of sTTIs. STEP 260: transmitting one or more wireless signals SC, SD comprising the control information and the data information using the first and second set of physical resources.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises transmitting a first wireless signal Sc comprising the control information using the first set of physical resources. In one example this wireless signal carries a PDSCH channel comprising the control information as further described in relation to Fig. 3-4, e.g. in a PRB.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises transmitting a second wireless signal SD comprising the data information using the second set of physical resources. In one example the second wireless signal carries a PDSCH channel comprising the data information as further described in relation to Fig. 3-4.

Fig. 3 shows an example of a first 310 and second set 320 of allocated physical resources according to the method of the disclosure. The first 310 set of physical resources comprises a first set of time resources 315 and a first set of frequency resources 370. The second set 320 of physical resources comprises a second set of time resources 325 and a second set of frequency resources 370. Fig. 3 shows a vertical axis 330 indicative of physical resources in the form of frequency bandwidth or frequency. Fig. 3 further shows a horizontal axis 340 indicative of physical resources in the form of time resources or time. A PDCCH or sPDCCH 350 is allocated a time resource, such as a sTTI. A PDSCH 360 is allocated a subsequent set of time resources 315, 325, such as a plurality of sTTIs. The PDCCH 350 and the PDSCH 360 are in this example allocated an equal amount of frequency resources or frequency bandwidth. A first set of physical resources 310 for transmission of control information is allocated. The first set of physical radio resources is comprised in a first set of physical resources or sTTIs 31 1 . A second set of physical resources 320 for transmission of data information is allocated. The second set of physical radio resources 320 may be comprised in a second set of sTTIs 321 -323 being subsequent to the first set of sTTIs 31 1 . The first set of physical resources 310 and/or the second set second set of physical resources 320 may be allocated for multiple UEs, where each UE is individually addressed with C-RNTI, or may alternatively be allocated for a single UE.

In an embodiment, the first set of sTTIs 31 1 comprises a first number N of sTTIs. In an example, referring back to the method in Fig. 2, the control channel or control information is transmitted over up to N multiple time resources, e.g. over N number of sTTIs, over which the control channel is encoded. This is further described in relation to the first set of time resources 415 illustrated in Fig. 4. This differs from the repetitions used in Machine-Type Communication, MTC, or Narrow Band internet of Things, NB- loT, where each transmission or repetition, e.g. of control information or data information, is independently encoded in one TTI. In a further example, the new control channel or the control information may be encoded over 4 consecutive sTTIs or N consecutive sTTIs. In a further example, the new control channel or the control information may be encoded over 2 consecutive sTTIs or in some cases even over a single sTTI. In an embodiment, the parameter N may be configurable by the network node or the wireless device and it can be adjusted (increased or decreased) on dynamic basis or semi-static basis, e.g. based on or by control signaling.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises obtaining the first number N by retrieving pre-defined values from the memory, by receiving values as control signaling from another wireless communication network node or by calculating or adjusting values based on one or more criteria. The parameter N can be configurable by the network node and it can be adjusted (increased or decreased) on dynamic basis or semi-static basis.

In an embodiment, a default value of the parameter first number N may also be predefined. In a further embodiment, the relation between the first number N and modulation and coding scheme MCS may also be pre-defined. In yet another example the relation between the first number N, MCS and target reliability level may also be pre-defined. A default value of the first number N may also be pre-defined.

In an embodiment, the criteria is based on a selection of any of target data rate, current data rate, buffer date, target reliability level, current reliability level, radio conditions, receiver capability or capability of the receiving entity. In an example, the value of the first number N may depend on one or more of the following conditions or parameters:

Radio conditions, e.g. larger value of the first number N is calculated or used when the radio channel of the wireless signal S is detected to be more dispersive and/or under higher Doppler speeds.

Target reliability level, e.g. the value of the first number N is calculated to be increased based on a detected increase in the target reliability (i.e. decrease in the target bit error rate of the receiving wireless communication network node, such as the wireless device or the network node.

Current reliability level, e.g. the first number N is calculated to be increased if the current reliability level is detected to be worse than a reliability threshold.

UE receiver capability, e.g. if it is detected that a first UE has an advanced receiver the first number N can be calculated to be smaller compared to the first number N calculated for a second UE which does not have an advanced receiver. Examples of advance receivers are intra-cell interference cancellation or mitigation receivers, inter- cell interference cancellation or mitigation receivers etc.

UE capability, e.g. UE capability in terms of maximum number of sTTIs over which the UE can be controlled to receive the control information or control channel.

In an embodiment, the second set of sTTIs comprises a second number K of sTTIs. In an example referring back to the step of encoding 250 in Fig. 2, the data information is encoded and transmitted over up to K multiple time resources, e.g. over K number of sTTIs, over which the data information is encoded. The data information may be encoded to an encoded block of data that is then split in K parts or payload to be carried by each sTTI allocated for transmission. In an embodiment, the method further comprises obtaining the second number K by retrieving pre-defined values from memory, by receiving values as control signaling from another wireless communication network node or by calculating or adjusting values based on one or more criteria. In an embodiment, the method further comprises obtaining a maximum number M of sTTIs to be allocated for transmission of control information and data information. The maximum number M may be indicative of the total number of sTTIs to be allocated for transmission of control information and data information. The sum of the first number N and the second number K may be selected such that it is less or equal to the maximum number M, e.g. the first number N and the second number K are obtained by fulfilling a condition that M < N + K. In an embodiment, the method further comprises obtaining the maximum number M by retrieving pre-defined values from memory, by receiving values as control signaling from another wireless communication network node or by calculating or adjusting values based on one or more criteria. The criteria may e.g. be a number of protective control bits meeting an error probability above a predefined threshold.

In an example the maximum number M, indicative of a total or aggregated number of time resources, e.g. M sTTIs to be allocated for transmission of control information and data information, can be configured or specified for transmission of control information or control channel or transmission of data information or data channel, e.g. intended for downlink transmission to the UE. The individual sets, e.g. the first number N and the second number K, of time resources used for the combination of control and data channels within the configured set of maximum number M sTTIs may be adjusted or calculated. For example a first set of time resources, e.g. the first number N sTTIs, and a second set of time resources, e.g. the second number K sTTIs, are used for transmitting control data carried by control channels and data information carried by data channels respectively to the UE; where the first number N fulfills the condition N+K < M.

The parameters M and/or N and/or K can be selected by the network node or the wireless device based on one or more criteria. In an embodiment, a selection of any of the first number N, the second number K or the maximum number M is obtained by retrieving pre-defined values, by receiving values as control signaling or by calculating values based on one or more criteria, wherein the criteria is based on a selection of any of target data rate, current data rate, buffer date, target reliability level, current reliability level, radio conditions, receiver capability or capability of the receiving entity. Further examples of criteria are based on a selection of any of required or target data rate, current data rate, buffer date or one or more criteria listed above for selecting parameter N or K. In an example, if the maximum number M is configured to be small then the first number N can be configured to a larger value or vice versa. In a further example, in order to enhance the reliability of control channel reception at the UE, the network node may configure the UE with smaller packet data, i.e. data information carried by or over the second number K of sTTI where the second number K is shorter than certain threshold. This will allow the control channel transmission over a larger number of time resources and therefore the control channel can be transmitted also with lower coding rate (Rc) e.g. Rc below certain threshold. The relation between the first number N, the second number K and the maximum number M may be pre-defined or they can be configured at the UE by the network node. One or more sets or combination of the first number N, the second number K and the maximum number M parameters can be pre-defined as default value.

In an embodiment, the first set of physical resources is allocated or comprised in a set of continuous frequency band or sub bands. The second set of physical resources is further allocated or comprised in the set of continuous frequency band or sub bands. In an example with reference to Fig. 3, the first set of physical resources 31 1 is allocated or comprised in a continuous frequency band or continuous frequency sub bands 370, such as sub carriers in a PRB. The second set of physical resources 321 - 323 is also allocated or comprised in the continuous frequency band or the continuous frequency sub bands 370.

In an embodiment, the allocated frequency sub bands are/remains the same between sTTIs of the first set of physical resources, such as sTTIs, and between physical resources, such as sTTIs, of the second set of physical resources.

An advantage of this embodiment is that the payload needed for the control information is kept as low as possible. A further advantage is that the code rate and bit error rate can be kept as low as possible. In an embodiment, one or more of the parameters comprised in the control information, e.g. relating to the allocation of physical resources for transmission of data information, are be implicitly derived. The PRB allocation of the data can be the same as the PRB extent of the new control channel.

In one or more embodiments, the control channel carrying the control information or the data channel carrying the data information is/are transmitted on different frequency sub bands between sub frames, e.g. frequency hopping between subsequent sTTIs. The frequency hopping sequence, based on which the sub bands frequency hop between sub frames, may be configured through a bit-map by following a pre-defined pattern. This offers frequency diversity gains, in particular, over the control channel carrying the control information that is transmitted on the N multiple time resources of the first set of sTTIs. In an embodiment, the frequency hopping sequence controls the frequency hopping within the set of continuous frequency band or sub bands. Contrary to frequency-hopping with normal-length TTI in LTE UL, that the frequency hopping sequences in this invention/disclosure are complementary to each other so that they, as a whole, utilize all time-frequency resource blocks on a range of frequency sub bands. This leaves intact the remaining frequency region, which can be later used for normal-length TTI resource-allocation.

An example of how sub bands change between subsequent physical resources, such as sTTIs, according to the method of the disclosure is shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 shows a vertical axis 430 indicative of physical resources in the form of frequency bandwidth or frequency. Fig. 4 further shows a horizontal axis 440 indicative of physical resources in the form of time resources or time. A PDCCH 450 is allocated a first time resource, such as a sTTI. A PDSCH 460 is allocated a subsequent set of time resources, such as a plurality of sTTIs. The PDCCH 450 and the PDSCH 460 are in this example allocated an equal amount of frequency resources or frequency bandwidth. A first set of physical resources 410 for transmission of control information is allocated. The first 410 set of physical resources comprises a first set of time resources 415 and a first set of frequency resources 470. The first set of physical radio resources is comprised in a first set of sTTIs 41 1 -412. A second set of physical resources 420 for transmission of data information is allocated. The second set 420 of physical resources comprises a second set of time resources 425 and a second set of frequency resources 470. The second set of physical radio resources is comprised in a second set of sTTIs 421 -423 being subsequent to the first set of sTTIs 41 1 -412. Fig. 4 illustrates an example of a frequency hopping pattern for three UEs. The resources for respectively, first UE is indicated with a white background, the second UE with a dotted background and the third UE with a dark background. The UEs are allocated with two sTTIs for transmitting control information over the control channel and three sTTIs for transmitting data information over the data channel. In the hopping sequence of the present disclosure, the frequency increases by one sub band per each change to a subsequent sTTI, and wraps around once it hits the upper-bound of the allocated frequency range or the continuous frequency band or continuous frequency sub bands. This frequency band allocation may be repeated, e.g. after the three sTTIs that are shown in Fig. 4. Similar frequency hopping patterns can be allocated for two UEs with periodicity of two or four UEs with periodicity of four.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises generating a search space comprising or being indicative of the first set of physical resources. In an embodiment, the search space is defined in the frequency domain as frequency resources. The search space may for instance be generated or defined as a certain physical channel range. E.g. a PRB range such as PRB 1 -20, 21 -40, and 1 -40. Overlapping search spaces may in various embodiments be defined for multiple UEs. The search space may be consistent or remain the same over subsequent time resources, e.g. sub frames such as sTTIs. In one embodiment, the search space is generated or modified based on the number of control channel symbols, e.g. PDCCH symbols, in a time resource (e.g. sub frame). The search space may be indicated for the subsequent time resource (e.g. sub frame) of the control channel carrying the control information. In an example, the PDCCH informs the UE of the placement or search space of the first set of physical resources.

In an embodiment, the search space is defined in the time domain as time resources. In one example, it is further indicated, e.g. comprised in control information, which sTTI within a sub frame refer to the sTTI containing scheduling information, e.g. of the first set of physical resources. In an embodiment, the method further comprises generating an index or a list of indices indicative of the first set of physical resources. The indication can be obtained by providing an index or a list of indices or a bitmap of the respective sTTIs containing scheduling information from another node, e.g. the network node. Furthermore, control information comprising information on which sTTIs are used for data transmission or repetitive data transmission are to be used (if the control sTTI is received).

In an example, the UE searches for a control sTTI according to the search space/sTTI information as further described above. The UE further applies descrambling with a certain identity, e.g. a certain C-RNTI. The sTTI control is scrambled (or at least parts of it, e.g. CRC) is scrambled with this UE identity by the network node, such as an eNB. If a decoding/CRC check is successful, the control information is considered, otherwise not. In an embodiment, generating control information may further comprise generating an allocation duration indicator indicative of whether the allocation of the first and/or second set of physical resources is to be used once or to be used repeatedly. In an example, the UE may in this case (or generally/repeatedly, if configured) try to decode the sTTI regularly/repeatedly, e.g. based on included sDCI, i.e. short Physical Downlink Control Channel SPDCCH and short Physical Downlink Shared Channel SPDSCH. This way, it is possible for the network node (e.g. eNB) to indicate that the dynamically scheduled control sTTIs to the UE is to be used once or to indicate that the allocated physical resources are to be used repeatedly, i.e. use regularly repeated sTTIs. The choice to use the resources once or repeatedly may be made depending on the current needs for high reliability.

In an embodiment, the step of generating control information, 230, may further comprise generating a first time shift indicator indicative of a shift in number of sTTIs between the first set of physical resources and the consecutive second set of physical resources. In an example, the first set of physical resources allocated to transmit the control information and the second set physical resources allocated to transmit the data information are separated or shifted a number of sub frames or sTTIs relative to each other and this separation or shift is indicated by the first time shift indicator.

In an embodiment, the step of generating control information 230 further comprises: generating a second time shift indicator indicative of a number of sTTIs temporarily unavailable for transmission of control and/or data information, e.g. for transmission of PDCCH.

In one example, the second time shift indicator indicates a number of PDCCH symbols or an equivalent time shift indicator, thus enabling the UE to skip decoding a particular sTTI, i.e. the PDCCH region, as control information or data information.

In an embodiment, the control information further comprises a selection of any of: the first number N, second number K, the maximum number M, the allocation duration indicator, a modulation and coding scheme, MCS, index, the first time shift indicator, the second time shift indicator, transmit power control information, information on how the allocated frequency sub bands changes between subsequent sTTIs of the first/second set of sTTIs or hybrid automatic repeat request information.

In an example, the message encoded or the encoded control information may comprise information fields/payload and an added CRC.

The information fields may comprise:

-the number of subsequent short TTIs used for data transmission, if this information is not already included in an RRC message indicating the control sTTI used to transmit the control information and the data sTTIs used to transmit the data information, -the number of subsequent short TTIs used for repetitive data transmission, if this information is not already included in the RRC message indicating the control sTTI and the data sTTIs.

-the modulation and coding scheme to be used, e.g. a MCS index.

-the shift indicator for the data PRB allocation or the shift in time between the first set of sTTIs and the second set of sTTIs.

-the bit indicator or bit map used for determining a frequency hopping pattern of the first set of sTTIs used for control information or the second set of sTTIs used for data information.

-the number of PDCCH symbols in next sub frame, or equivalent time shift indicator indicating that the intended or scheduled transmission of control information or data information in a particular sTTI will have to be shifted to a later sub frame or sTTI as the particular sTTI will be used for another purpose, e.g. to transmit the PDCCH.

Fig. 5 shows an example of information fields encoded in the control information comprised in the first set of physical resources, illustrated in in Table 1 , according to the present disclosure. The first column lists information fields that may be comprised in the control information and the second column a number of bits required for this information. In one example the table comprises a number of short TTIs for data 2-3 bits, MCS 2-5 bits, a first shift indicator 3 bits, XX XX bits, CRC 16 bits and a total size 23-27 bits.

In an embodiment, the control information is transmitted using lower order modulated symbols or modulation symbols/constellations, e.g. BPSK or QPSK symbols. The modulated symbols may then be transmitted within a short TTI.

In an embodiment, the data information is transmitted using lower order modulated symbols or modulation symbols/constellations, e.g. BPSK or QPSK symbols. The modulated symbols may then be transmitted within a short TTI, e.g. in a PRB.

In an embodiment, transmitting the second wireless signal SD and transmitting the first wireless signal SC is performed uplink or downlink.

Although the description partially describes the embodiments for downlink DL control channel carrying control information and DL data channel carrying data information. However, the embodiments are also applicable for uplink transmissions e.g. UL control channel, UL data channel etc.

In some embodiments, the information fields are generated and comprised in additional information for transmission over other control channels, e.g. PDCCH or SPS.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises generating additional information indicative of a selection of any of: the first number N, second number K, the maximum number M, the allocation duration indicator, a modulation and coding scheme, MCS, index, the first time shift indicator, the second time shift indicator, transmit power control information, hybrid automatic repeat request, the search space, the index or the list of indices indicative of the first set of physical resources. In an example, the additional information is generated to be included in Radio Resource Control, RRC, signaling, PDCCH signaling or Semi- Persistent Scheduling, SPS, signaling.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises transmitting a third wireless signal Si comprising the additional information using a third set of physical resources. In one example, the UE receives the additional information on physical resources allocated for general signaling, such as RRC signaling, PDCCH signaling or SPS signaling. In one example, the network node sends the control information comprising the allocation of the first or second set of physical resources over PDCCH, in a similar manner to a SPS activation. Here, the allocation and MCS is included in the additional information and is not indicated in RRC or the new control message or the control channel comprising the control information. The UE may respond to the SPS activation message with a Medium Access Control Control Element MAC CE.

Fig. 6 shows a flow chart of signaling according to the present disclosure. The flow chart illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The network node, such as a gNB or eNB, sends 610 the additional information carried by RRC signaling on physical resources allocated for general signaling. The additional information indicates at least a search space, e.g. of time or frequency resources, where the receiving wireless device should look for or attempt to detect the control channel or the first set of physical resources, such as sTTIs, carrying the control information. This is further described in relation to the first set of time resources 415 illustrated in Fig. 4. The control channel may be a Short Physical Downlink Control Channel, sPDCCH, and the control channel may be sent on a sub frames or sTTIs of order n. The wireless device may attempt to descramble all the time resources, sub frames or sTTIs within the search space. If descrambling of a sTTI n is successful, the control information comprised in sTTIn is decoded 620 and cyclic redundancy checked, CRC. The control information may further comprise CRC, MCS and the number of subsequent short TTIs, nTTI, in the second set of sTTIs, used for subsequent data transmission. This is further described in relation to the second set of time resources 425 illustrated in Fig. 4. The wireless device then receives 630 nTTI subsequent sTTIs comprising payload in the form of the encoded data information. When all the nTTIs have been received, the data information is compiled by decoding the payload data comprised in all the nTTIs.

Fig. 7 shows a flowchart of a method 700 according to the present disclosure. The method may be implemented in a wireless device 100, such as a UE, configured for communication in a wireless communication network. The method comprises:

STEP 710: obtaining first allocation information indicative of a first set of physical resources 410, e.g. by receiving control signalling. The first set of physical radio resources may be comprised in a first set of short transmission time intervals, sTTIs 415. In an example the first allocation information may be obtained by identifying on a control channel sPDCCH a search area or index or a list of indices indicative of an assignment of first set of physical resources, as further described in relation to Fig. 4.

STEP 720: receiving a first wireless signal Sc using the obtained first set of physical radio resources. The method may further comprise detecting a second allocation information carried by or comprised in the first wireless signal. The second allocation information is at least indicative of a second set of physical resources for reception of data information. The second set of physical radio resources may be comprised in a second set of sTTIs being subsequent to the first set of sTTIs. In an example, the second allocation information may be the control information further described in relation to Fig. 2.

OPTIONAL STEP 730: receiving a second wireless signal SD comprising data information using the second set of physical resources comprised in the second allocation information. Receiving the data information may be performed by receiving a second wireless signal SD comprising data information using the second set of physical resources. A total number of physical resources comprised in the first and second set of physical resources is less than or equal to an obtained maximum number.

In an embodiment, the first allocation information may be obtained by:

receiving a third wireless signal Si comprising search or additional information indicative of a search space, as further described in relation to Fig. 6, and performing an identity correlation to wireless signals received on physical resources comprised in the search space to obtain the first allocation information by determining the first allocation information based on the search information. If the correlation is successful, i.e. , the sTTI or STTIs is/are successfully descrambled, the method may further comprise decoding at least the first allocation information from the N sTTIs comprised in the first set of sTTIs.

The correlation may be performed with regards to an identifier, such as the wireless device Cell Radio Network Temporary Identifier C-RNTI. As previously described, the third wireless signal Si may be comprising RRC signaling, PDCCH signaling or SPS signaling.

In an embodiment, the first allocation information is obtained by receiving a third wireless signal Si comprising additional information indicative of the first allocation information, typically indicative of the first set of physical resources 410. The first allocation information may further comprise an index or a list of indices indicative of the first set of physical resources 410. As previously described, the third wireless signal Si may comprise RRC signaling, PDCCH signaling or SPS signaling. In an example, the wireless device receives RRC signaling comprising first allocation information indicative of an index or a list of indices or a bitmap of the respective sTTIs or the first set of TTIs. The first set of TTIs comprises the control information in the form of scheduling information. The first set of sTTIs or N sTTIs are then decoded to obtain the control information and that includes the scheduling assignments of the second set of physical resources, such as sTTIs, 321 - 323, 421 -423 that carry the data.

In other words, the first allocation information further indicates which sTTI/s within a sub frame refers to the sTTI/s containing scheduling or control information. This indication can be performed e.g. by providing an index or a list of indices or a bitmap of the respective sTTIs containing scheduling or control information. Furthermore, the control information may comprise second allocation information indicative of which sTTIs are used for data transmission or repetitive data transmission, if the control sTTI is received.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises receiving a second wireless signal SD comprising data information using the second set of physical resources. The second set of physical resources may be separated or shifted in time by an amount of sub frames or sTTIs indicated by a first shift indicator.

In an embodiment, a computer program is provided and comprising computer- executable instructions for causing a wireless device or network node, when the computer-executable instructions are executed on circuitry, a processor or a processing unit comprised in the wireless device or network node, to perform any of the method steps described herein. The computer program is included in a computer readable medium of a computer program product. The computer readable medium may comprise of essentially any memory, such as a ROM (Read-Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable PROM), a Flash memory, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable PROM), or a hard disk drive.

In an embodiment, a computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium having the computer program described above embodied therein.

Fig. 8 shows a network node 800 according to the present invention. The network node interacting with a wireless device 100, the network node 800 comprising:

a first allocation module 810 for allocating a first set of physical resources for transmission of control information, wherein the first set of physical radio resources is comprised in a first set of short transmission time intervals, sTTIs.

a second allocation module 820 for allocating a second set of physical resources for transmission of data information, wherein the second set of physical radio resources is comprised in a second set of sTTIs being subsequent to the first set of sTTIs, an optional generation module 830 for generating control information that is at least indicative of the second set of physical resources.

an optional first encoding module 840 for encoding the control information over the first number N of sTTIs.

an optional second encoding module 850 for encoding the data information over the second number K of sTTIs.

an optional transmitting module for a wireless signal SC comprising the control information and the data information using the first and second set of physical resources.

Fig. 9 shows a wireless device 100 according to the present disclosure. The wireless device interacting with a network node 800, the wireless device 100 comprising:

a first obtaining module 810 for obtaining first allocation information indicative of a first set of physical resources for reception of second allocation information, wherein the first set of physical radio resources is comprised in a first set of short transmission time intervals, sTTIs.

a first receiving module 820 for receiving a first wireless signal comprising the second allocation information using the first set of physical resources, wherein the second allocation information is at least indicative of a second set of physical resources for reception of data information, wherein the second set of physical radio resources is comprised in a second set of sTTIs being subsequent to the first set of sTTIs.

In an embodiment, the wireless device 100 further comprises a second receiving module 830 for receiving the first and/or a second wireless signal comprising data information using the second set of physical resources.

Furthermore, any methods according to embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented in a computer program, having code means, which when run by processing means causes the processing means to execute the steps of the method.

Moreover, it is realized by the skilled person that the wireless device 100 or network node may comprise the necessary communication capabilities in the form of e.g., functions, means, units, elements, etc., for performing the present solution. Examples of other such means, units, elements and functions are: processors, memory, buffers, control logic, encoders, decoders, rate matchers, de-rate matchers, mapping units, multipliers, decision units, selecting units, switches, interleavers, de-interleavers, modulators, demodulators, inputs, outputs, antennas, amplifiers, receiver units, transmitter units, DSPs, MSDs, TCM encoder, TCM decoder, power supply units, power feeders, communication interfaces, communication protocols, etc. which are suitably arranged together for performing the present solution.

The processor, e.g. of the present wireless device 100, comprise, e.g., one or more instances of a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a processing unit, a processing circuit, a processor, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a microprocessor, or other processing logic that may interpret and execute instructions. The expression "processor" may thus represent a processing circuitry comprising a plurality of processing circuits, such as, e.g., any, some or all of the ones mentioned above. The processing circuitry may further perform data processing functions for inputting, outputting, and processing of data comprising data buffering and device control functions, such as call processing control, user interface control, or the like.

Finally, it should be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, but also relates to and incorporates all embodiments within the scope of the appended independent claims.

Enumerated embodiments

Embodiment 1. A method for a network node, the method comprising: allocating a first set of physical resources for transmission of control information, wherein the first set of physical radio resources is comprised in a first set of short transmission time intervals, sTTIs, allocating a second set of physical resources for transmission of data information, wherein the second set of physical radio resources is comprised in a second set of sTTIs being subsequent to the first set of sTTIs, generating control information that is at least indicative of the second set of physical resources. Embodiment 2. The method according to embodiment 1 , wherein the first set of sTTIs comprises a first number N of sTTIs, wherein the method further comprises encoding the control information over the first number N of sTTIs.

Embodiment 3. The method according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the second set of sTTIs comprises a second number K of sTTIs, wherein the method further comprises encoding the data information over the second number K of sTTIs.

Embodiment 4. The method according to any of the preceding embodiments, further comprising: obtaining a maximum number M of sTTIs to be allocated for transmission of control information and data information, wherein the sum of the first number N and the second number K is less or equal to the maximum number M.

Embodiment 5. The method according to any of embodiments 2-4, wherein any of the first number N, the second number K or the maximum number M is obtained by retrieving pre-defined values, by receiving values as control signaling or by calculating values based on one or more criteria, wherein the criteria is based on a selection of any of target data rate, current data rate, buffer date, target reliability level, current reliability level, radio conditions, receiver capability or capability of the receiving entity.

Embodiment 6. The method according to any of embodiments 2-5, wherein the first set of physical resources is comprised in a set of continuous frequency sub bands, and wherein the second set of physical resources is comprised in the set of continuous frequency sub bands.

Embodiment 7. The method according to embodiment 6, wherein the allocated frequency sub bands remain the same between sTTIs of the first set of sTTIs and between sTTIs of the second set of sTTIs.

Embodiment 8. The method according to embodiment 6, wherein the allocated frequency sub bands changes between subsequent sTTIs of the first set of sTTIs and between subsequent sTTIs of the second set of sTTIs.

Embodiment 9 The method according to any of the preceding embodiments, further comprising generating a search space comprising the first set of physical resources. Embodiment 10 The method according to any of the preceding embodiments, further comprising generating an index or a list of indices indicative of the first set of physical resources.

Embodiment 1 1 The method according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein generating control information further comprises: generating an allocation duration indicator indicative of whether the allocation of the first and/or second set of physical resources is to be used once or to be used repeatedly.

Embodiment 12 The method according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein generating control information further comprises: generating a first time shift indicator indicative of a shift in number of sTTIs between the first set of physical resources and the consecutive second set of physical resources.

Embodiment 13 The method according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein generating control information further comprises: generating a second time shift indicator indicative of a number of sTTIs temporarily unavailable for transmission of control and/or data information, e.g. for transmission of PDCCH.

Embodiment 14 The method according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the control information further comprises a selection of any of: the first number N, second number K, the maximum number M, the allocation duration indicator, a modulation and coding scheme, MCS, index, the first time shift indicator, the second time shift indicator, transmit power control information, information on how the allocated frequency sub bands changes between subsequent sTTIs of the first/second set of sTTIs or hybrid automatic repeat request information.

Embodiment 15 The method according to any of the preceding embodiments, further comprising transmitting a first wireless signal (Sc) comprising the control information using the first set of physical resources. Embodiment 16 The method according to any of the preceding embodiments, further comprising transmitting a second wireless signal (SD) comprising the data information using the second set of physical resources.

Embodiment 17 The method according to claims 15 or 16 wherein transmitting the second wireless signal and transmitting the first wireless signal is performed uplink or downlink.

Embodiment 18 The method according to any of the preceding embodiments, further generating additional information indicative of a selection of any of: the first number N, second number K, the maximum number M, the allocation duration indicator, a modulation and coding scheme, MCS, index, the first time shift indicator, the second time shift indicator, transmit power control information, hybrid automatic repeat request, the search space, the index or the list of indices indicative of the first set of physical resources.

Embodiment 19 The method according to embodiment 18, further comprising transmitting a third wireless signal (Si) comprising the additional information using a third set of physical resources.

Embodiment 20 A method for a wireless device or network node, the method comprising: obtaining first allocation information indicative of a first set of physical resources for reception of second allocation information, wherein the first set of physical radio resources is comprised in a first set of short transmission time intervals, sTTIs, receiving a first wireless signal (Sc) comprising the second allocation information using the first set of physical resources, wherein the second allocation information is at least indicative of a second set of physical resources for reception of data information, wherein the second set of physical radio resources is comprised in a second set of sTTIs being subsequent to the first set of sTTIs,

Embodiment 21 The method according to Embodiment 20, wherein the first allocation information is obtained by: receiving a third wireless signal (Si) comprising search information indicative of a search space, performing an identity correlation to wireless signals received on physical resources comprised in the search space to obtain the first allocation information by determining the first allocation information based on the search information .

Embodiment 22 The method according to Embodiment 20, wherein the first allocation information is obtained by receiving a third wireless signal (Si) comprising an index or a list of indices indicative of the first set of physical resources.

Embodiment 23: The method according to any preceding embodiment, further comprising receiving a second wireless signal (SD) comprising data information using the second set of physical resources.

Embodiment 24: A network node 800, the network node 800 interacting with a wireless device 100, the network node 800 comprising: a first allocation module 810 for allocating a first set of physical resources for transmission of control information, wherein the first set of physical radio resources is comprised in a first set of short transmission time intervals, sTTIs. a second allocation module 820 for allocating a second set of physical resources for transmission of data information, wherein the second set of physical radio resources is comprised in a second set of sTTIs being subsequent to the first set of sTTIs, a generation module 830 for generating control information that is at least indicative of the second set of physical resources.

Embodiment 25 A wireless device 100, the wireless device interacting with a network node 800, the wireless device 100 comprising: a first obtaining module 910 for obtaining first allocation information indicative of a first set of physical resources for reception of second allocation information, wherein the first set of physical radio resources is comprised in a first set of short transmission time intervals, sTTIs. a first receiving module 920 for receiving a first wireless signal comprising the second allocation information using the first set of physical resources, wherein the second allocation information is at least indicative of a second set of physical resources for reception of data information, wherein the second set of physical radio resources is comprised in a second set of sTTIs being subsequent to the first set of sTTIs.

Embodiment 26, the wireless device 100 further comprising a second receiving module 830 for receiving a second wireless signal comprising data information using the second set of physical resources.

Embodiment 27. A network node configured for communication in a wireless communication network, comprising circuitry comprising: a processor, and a memory, said memory containing instructions executable by said processor, whereby said network node is operative to perform the method of any of embodiments 1 -19.

Embodiment 28. A computer program comprising computer-executable instructions for causing a network node, when the computer-executable instructions are executed on a processing unit comprised in the network node, to perform any of the method steps of any of embodiments 1 -19.

Embodiment 29. A computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium having the computer program according to embodiment 28 embodied therein.

Embodiment 30. A wireless device configured for communication in a wireless communication network, comprising circuitry comprising: a processor, and a memory, said memory containing instructions executable by said processor, whereby said first wireless device is operative to perform the method of any of embodiments 20-23.

Embodiment 31 . A computer program comprising computer-executable instructions for causing a wireless device, when the computer-executable instructions are executed on a processing unit comprised in the wireless device, to perform any of the method steps of any of embodiments 20-23. Embodiment 32. A computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium having the computer program according to embodiment 31 embodied therein.

Claims

1 . A method (200) for a network node, the method comprising: allocating (210) a first set of physical resources for transmission of control information, allocating (220) a second set of physical resources for transmission of data information, wherein a total number of physical resources comprised in the first and second set of physical resources is less than or equal to an obtained maximum number, transmitting (260) one or more wireless signals (SD, SC) comprising the control information and the data information using the first and second set of physical resources.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein any of the maximum number and the total number of physical resources is determined based on one or more criterium/criteria.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the criterium/criteria is/are based on a selection of any of target data rate, current data rate, buffer date, target reliability level, current reliability level, radio conditions, receiver capability or capability of the receiving entity.

4. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method further comprises encoding the control information over the first set of physical resources.

5. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method further comprises encoding the data information over the second set of physical resources.

6. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second set of physical resources are comprised in a set of continuous physical resources.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein frequency resources comprised in the set of continuous physical resources remain the same between the first set of physical resources and the second set of physical resources.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein frequency resources comprised in the set of continuous physical resources changes between subsequent time resources comprised in the set of continuous physical resources.

9. The method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising generating a search space comprising the first set of physical resources.

10. The method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising generating an index or a list of indices indicative of the first set of physical resources.

1 1. The method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising obtaining control information by obtaining an allocation duration indicator indicative of whether the allocation of the first and/or second set of physical resources is to be used once or to be used repeatedly.

12. The method according to claim 1 1 , wherein obtaining control information further comprises: obtaining a first time shift indicator indicative of a shift in number of sTTIs between the first set of physical resources and the consecutive second set of physical resources.

13. The method according to claim 1 1 or 12, wherein obtaining control information further comprises: obtaining a second time shift indicator indicative of a number of time resources temporarily unavailable for transmission of control and/or data information, e.g. for transmission of PDCCH.

14. The method according to according to any of claims 1 1 -13, wherein obtaining control information further comprises obtaining a selection of any of: the first number N, second number K, the maximum number M, the allocation duration indicator, a modulation and coding scheme, MCS, index, the first time shift indicator, the second time shift indicator, transmit power control information, information on how the allocated frequency resources changes between subsequent time resources of the first/second set of physical resources or hybrid automatic repeat request information.

15. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein transmitting the wireless signal (SC) is performed in uplink or downlink.

16. The method according to any of the preceding claims, the method further comprising obtaining a maximum number of physical resources to be allocated for transmission of control information and data information.

17. A method for a wireless device, the method comprising: obtaining 710 first allocation information indicative of a first set of physical resources, receiving 720 a first wireless signal (SC) using the first set of physical resources, wherein the first wireless signal (SC) comprises second allocation information, wherein the second allocation information is at least indicative of a second set of physical resources, wherein the second set of physical radio resources comprises a second set of time resources being subsequent to the first set of time resources, receiving 730 a second wireless signal (SD) comprising data information using the second set of physical resources, wherein a total number of physical resources comprised in the first and second set of physical resources is less than or equal to an obtained maximum number.

18. A network node configured for communication in a wireless communication network, comprising processing circuitry comprising: a processor, and a memory, said memory containing instructions executable by said processor, whereby said network node is operative to perform the method of any of claims 1 -16.

19. A computer program comprising computer-executable instructions for causing a network node, when the computer-executable instructions are executed on a processing unit comprised in the network node, to perform any of the method steps of any of claims 1 -16.

20. A computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium having the computer program according to claim 20 embodied therein.

21 . A wireless device configured for communication in a wireless communication network, comprising circuitry comprising: a processor, and a memory, said memory containing instructions executable by said processor, whereby said first wireless device is operative to perform the method of claim 17.

22. A computer program comprising computer-executable instructions for causing a wireless device, when the computer-executable instructions are executed on a processing unit comprised in the wireless device, to perform the method steps of claim 17.

23. A computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium having the computer program according to claim 22 embodied therein.