3GPP RAN#94e: Electronic meeting, 6 - 17 December 2021

RAN1-led

RP-213598

WI: MIMO Evolution for Downlink and Uplink

(1) CSI reporting enhancement for high/medium UE velocities by exploiting time-domain correlation/Doppler-domain information to assist DL precoding, targeting FR1;

(2) Extension of Rel-17 Unified TCI framework for indication of multiple DL and UL TCI states focusing on multi-TRP use case, using Rel-17 unified TCI framework;

(3) Larger number of orthogonal DMRS ports for downlink and uplink MU-MIMO (without increasing the DM-RS overhead), only for CP-OFDM;

(4) Enhancements of CSI acquisition for Coherent-JT targeting FR1 and up to 4 TRPs, assuming ideal backhaul and synchronization as well as the same number of antenna ports across TRPs;

(5) UL DMRS, SRS, SRI, and TPMI (including codebook) enhancements to enable 8 Tx UL operation to support 4 and more layers per UE in UL targeting CPE/FWA/vehicle/Industrial devices;

(6) Facilitate simultaneous multi-panel UL transmission for higher UL throughput/reliability, focusing on FR2 and multi-TRP, assuming up to 2 TRPs and up to 2 panels, targeting CPE/FWA/vehicle/industrial devices (if applicable);

(7) Two TAs for UL multi-DCI for multi-TRP operation and Power control for UL single DCI for multi-TRP operation where unified TCI framework extension in objective 2 is assumed

None identified so far

RP-213599

SI: Study on Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) for NR Air Interface

3GPP framework for AI/ML for air-interface corresponding to each target use case regarding aspects such as performance, complexity, and potential specification impact:

(1) Use cases to focus on:  CSI feedback enhancement, Beam management, Positioning accuracy enhancements for different scenarios including those with heavy NLOS conditions;

(2) AI/ML model, terminology and description to identify common and specific characteristics for framework investigations;

(3) For the use cases under consideration:

(a) Performance benefits of AI/ML based algorithms for agreed use cases in final representative set;

(b) Potential specification impact, specifically for the agreed use cases in the final representative set and for a common framework.

None identified so far

RP-213591

SI: Study on Evolution of NR Duplex Operation

Potential enhancements to support duplex evolution for NR TDD in unpaired spectrum, assuming

(a) Duplex enhancement at the gNB side;

(b) Half duplex operation at the UE side;

(c) No restriction on frequency ranges:
(1) Applicable and relevant deployment scenarios;

(2) Evaluation methodology for duplex enhancement;

(3) Subband non-overlapping full duplex and potential enhancements on dynamic/flexible TDD

None identified so far

RP-213678

WI: NR sidelink evolution

(1) NR sidelink CA operation based on LTE sidelink CA operation;

(2) Support of sidelink on unlicensed spectrum for both mode 1 and mode 2 where Uu operation for mode 1 is limited to licensed spectrum only;

(3) Enhanced sidelink operation on FR2 licensed spectrum;

(4) Co-channel coexistence for LTE sidelink and NR sidelink including performance, necessity, feasibility, and potential specification impact;

(5) UE Tx and Rx RF requirement for supporting new features introduced in this WI, sidelink frequency bands for single-carrier operation and frequency band combinations for carrier aggregation operation;

(6) UE RRM core requirement

None identified so far

RP-213588

SI: Study on Expanded and improved NR positioning

(1) Solutions for sidelink positioning;

(2) Improved accuracy, integrity, and power efficiency;

(3) Positioning support for RedCap UEs

From "Objective"

Study of positioning architecture and signalling procedures (e.g. configuration, measurement reporting, etc) to enable sidelink positioning covering both UE based and network based positioning [RAN2, including coordination and alignment with RAN3 and SA2 as required]

From "Aspects that involve other WGs"

Study of positioning architecture and signalling procedures  to enable sidelink positioning covering both UE based and network based positioning may require coordination and alignment with SA2.

RP-213661

SI: Study on Further NR RedCap UE complexity reduction

Study further UE complexity reduction techniques:

(a) Considering network impact, coexistence of Rel-17 and Rel-18 RedCap and non-RedCap UEs in a cell, UE impact, specification impact;

(b) Potential solutions, which may complement each other focus on: UE bandwidth reduction to 5MHz in FR1, reduced UE peak data rate in FR1;

(c) Rel-15 SSB should be reused and L1 changes minimized;

(d) Operation in BWP with/without SSB and without/with RF retuning should be considered;

(e) Some solutions for FR1 may be applied to FR2 in WI stage;

(f) Single Rel-18 RedCap UE type for further UE complexity reduction

None identified so far

RP-213554

SI: Study on Network energy savings

Prioritize idle/empty and low/medium load scenarios:

(1) Base station energy consumption model;

(2) Evaluation methodology and KPIs;

(3) Techniques on gNB and UE side to improve network energy savings in terms of both BS transmission and reception

From "Aspects that involve other WGs"

The study should coordinate with SA5 as needed, e.g. on how the potential energy saving techniques integrate 3GPP management system

RP-213579

WI: Further NR coverage enhancements

Uplink coverage enhancements for PRACH, power domain and DFT-S-OFDM:

(1) PRACH coverage enhancements;

(2) Power domain enhancements;

(3) Dynamic switching between DFT-S-OFDM and CP-OFDM

None identified so far

RP-213700

SI: Study on NR Network-controlled Repeaters
Note: Known previously as Smart Repeaters

Scenarios and assumptions:

(a) Inband RF repeaters used for extension of network coverage on FR1 and FR2 bands; FR2 deployments may be prioritized for both outdoor and O2I scenarios;

(b) For only single hop stationary repeaters;

(c) Transparent to UEs;

(d) Can maintain gNB-repeater link and repeater-UE link simultaneously.

(e) Cost efficiency is key consideration point:
(1) Which side control information is necessary for network-controlled repeaters including assumption of max transmission power;

(2) L1/L2 signaling (including its configuration) to carry side control information;

(3) Aspects of network-controlled repeater management (identification and authorization).

From "Objective"

Study the following aspects of smart repeater management

Identification and authorization of smart repeaters [RAN2, RAN3]

NOTE2: Coordination with SA3 may be needed.

RP-213575

WI: Enhancement of NR Dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS)

Improvement of NR spectrum efficiency for LTE-NR co-existence: (1) NR PDCCH reception in symbols with LTE CRS REs; (2) Allow UE to support, and be configured with, two overlapping CRS rate matching patterns regardless of support or configuration of multi-TRP

None identified so far

RP-213645

SI: Study on Low-power Wake-up Signal and Receiver for NR

Study will not require existing signals to be used as WUS. All WUS solutions identified shall be able to operate in a cell supporting legacy UEs. Other aspects such as detection performance, coverage, UE complexity, should be covered by the evaluation:

(1) Use cases & KPIs;

(2) Low-power wake-up receiver architectures;

(3) Wake-up signal designs to support wake-up receivers;

(4) L1 procedures and higher layer protocol changes needed to support wake-up signals;

(5) Potential UE power saving gains including system impact

None identified so far

RP-213577

WI: Multi-carrier enhancements for NR

(1) Solution for multi-cell PUSCH/PDSCH scheduling (one PDSCH/PUSCH per cell) with a single DCI;

(2) Possible enhancements for multi-carrier UL operation (e.g. UL Tx switching schemes across up to 3 or 4 bands with restriction of up to 2 Tx simultaneous transmission for FR1 UEs; Switching time and other RF aspects, and RRM requirements for the above

None identified so far

RAN2-led

RP-213565

WI: Further NR Mobility Enhancements

(1) L1/L2 based inter-cell mobility for mobility latency reduction;

(2) NR-DC with selective activation of the cell groups (at least for SCG) via L3 enhancements;

(3) CHO including target MCG and target SCG;

(4) CHO including target MCG and candidate SCGs for CPC/CPA;

(5) RRM core requirements for the above;

(6) RF requirements to cover inter-frequency L1/L2-based mobility;

(7) Study FR2 SCell/SCG setup/resume delay

None identified so far

RP-213587

SI: Study on XR Enhancements for NR

Based on Release 17 TR 38.838, on corresponding Release 17 work from SA4 (as per SP-210043) and on Release 18 work from SA2 (as per SP-211166);

(1) XR-awareness in RAN;

(2) XR-specific Power Saving;

(3) XR-specific capacity improvements.

From "Objective"

The study is to be based on Release 17 TR 38.838, on corresponding Release 17 work from SA4 (as per SP-210043) and on Release 18 work from SA2 (as per SP-211166).

From "Aspects that involve other WGs"

SA2 is involved for determination of XR specific information made available in the network and the UE.

RP-213585

WI: NR sidelink relay enhancements

Enhance NR Sidelink Relay for V2X, public safety, commercial use cases:

(1) Support single-hop Layer-2 and Layer-3 UE-to-UE relay (i.e., source UE -> relay UE -> destination UE) for unicast;

(2) Enhance service continuity for single-hop Layer-2 UE-to-Network relay;

(3) Study benefit and potential solutions for multi-path support to enhance reliability and throughput;

(4) Sidelink DRX for Layer-2 UE-to-Network sidelink relay operation (if not in Rel-17);

(5) RRM core requirements for relay discovery and (re)selection in UE-to-UE relay

From "Objective"

Specify mechanisms to support single-hop Layer-2 and Layer-3 UE-to-UE relay (i.e., source UE -> relay UE -> destination UE) for unicast [RAN2, RAN3, RAN4].

       A. Common part for Layer-2 and Layer-3 relay to be prioritized until RAN#98

[…..] Signalling support for Relay and remote UE authorization if SA2 concludes it is needed [RAN3]

       B. Layer-2 relay specific part

[……] QoS handling if needed, subject to SA2 progress [RAN2]

Note 3C: Support of Layer-3 UE-to-Network relay in multi-path scenario is assumed to have no RAN impact and the work and solutions are subject to SA2 to progress.

From "Aspects that involve other WGs"

SA2/CT1 have to capture impacts of NR Sidelink Relay on Discovery/PC5-S and CN.

SA3 has to capture impacts of NR Sidelink Relay on security related part.

RP-213690

WI: NR NTN (Non-Terrestrial Networks) enhancements

Enhancements for NG-RAN based NTN (non-terrestrial networks) according to following assumptions with implicit compatibility to support HAPS (high altitude platform station) and ATG (air to ground) scenarios:

(a) GSO and NGSO (LEO and MEO) with transparent payload;

(b) Earth fixed tracking area. Earth fixed & Earth moving cells for NGSO;

(c) FDD mode;

(d) UEs with GNSS capabilities;

(e) Both "VSAT" devices with directive antenna (including fixed and moving platform mounted devices and commercial handset terminals (e.g. Power class 3) are supported in FR1;

(f) Only "VSAT" devices with directive antenna (including fixed and moving platform mounted devices) are supported in above 10 GHz band:
(1) Coverage enhancement (only NTN-specific);

(2) NR-NTN deployment in above 10 GHz bands;

(3) Network verified UE location;

(4) NTN-TN and NTN-NTN mobility and service continuity enhancements

From "Objective"

• Improved performance of low-rate codecs in link budget limited situation including reducing RAN protocol overhead for VoNR [RAN2,RAN1] [Liaise with SA2/SA4 as necessary]

From "Aspects that involve other WGs"

Possible cooperation/alignment with:

• SA2, SA3 and SA3-LI with respect to 'Network verified UE location' and the possible impact on regulatory requirements (e.g. LI, PWS,…).

• SA2 & SA4 with respect to 'coverage enhancement' and in particular the potential low-rate codecs performance enhancements for in link budget limited context.

RP-213596

WI: IoT NTN enhancements

Enhancements for E-UTRA (LTE-RAN) based NTN (non-terrestrial networks) according to following assumptions:

(a) GEO and NGSO (LEO and MEO);

(b) Earth fixed Tracking area. Earth fixed & Earth moving cells for NGSO;

(c) FDD mode;

(d) UEs with GNSS capabilities; Specify enhanced NB-IoT NTN and eMTC NTN radio interfaces and E-UTRAN/NG-RAN:
(1) IoT-NTN Performance Enhancements in Rel-18 to address remaining issues from Rel-17;

(2) Mobility enhancements;

(3) Enhancement to discontinuous coverage.

From "Objective"

Further enhancement to discontinuous coverage

This objective will be revisited at RAN#96e / June 2022, subject to Rel-17 IoT-NTN status on discontinuous coverage at RAN#96e, SA#94e, CT#95e.

From "Aspects that involve other WGs"

Possible cooperation/alignment with:

SA2 and CTx WGs with respect to the improvements related to the operation under discontinuous coverage: this will be revisited at RAN#96e / June 2022 depending on the status on the above objective on further enhancement to discontinuous coverage.

RP-213568

WI: Enhancements of NR Multicast and Broadcast Services

Enhance NR Multicast/Broadcast functions based on Rel-17 MBS:

(1) Support of multicast reception by UEs in RRC_INACTIVE state;

(2) Uu signalling enhancements to allow UE to use shared processing for MBS broadcast and unicast reception;

(3) Enhancements to improve resource efficiency for MBS reception in RAN sharing scenarios.

From "Objective"

Note: collaboration with SA2 is expected in due course for the above objectives

(That is, i) Specify support of multicast reception by UEs in RRC_INACTIVE state; ii) Study and if necessary, specify enhancements to improve the resource efficiency for MBS reception in RAN sharing scenarios)

RP-213600

WI: NR Support for UAV

(1) Enhancements on measurement reports;

(2) Support subscription-based aerial-UE identification;

(3) Enhancements for UAV identification broadcast for both LTE and NR;

(4). Study UE capability signaling to indicate UAV beamforming capabilities and, if necessary, RRC signaling

From "Objective"

Specify the signaling to support subscription-based aerial-UE identification [RAN3/SA2 interaction/RAN2]

Study and specify, if needed, enhancements for UAV identification broadcast [RAN2, SA2].

Note: This description is a placeholder for a more detailed objective to be drafted once SA2 will have concluded their study on the architectural aspects.

From "Aspects that involve other WGs"

SA2:

Subscription-based aerial-UE identification

Enhancements for UAV identification

RP-213584

WI: Dual Tx/Rx MUSIM

MUSIM procedures to operate in RRC_CONNECTED state simultaneously in NW A and NW B:

(1) Mechanism to indicate preference on temporary UE capability restriction and removal of restriction;

(2) RAT Concurrency;

(3) Applicable UE architecture: Dual-RX/Dual-TX UE

None identified so far

RP-213589

WI: In-Device Co-existence (IDC) enhancements for NR and MR-DC

Address interference between 3GPP (NR-DC and EN-DC) and non-3GPP RAT (e.g. WiFi); Priority for FDM solution (more granular indication of affected frequencies); TDM solution (e.g. indication of UE preferred TDM pattern for UL/DL) complementary to FDM solution; LTE IDC solution is baseline for solutions

None identified so far

RP-213583

WI: Mobile Terminated-Small Data Transmission (MT-SDT) for NR

Paging-triggered SDT (MT-SDT) for UEs in RRC_INACTIVE, supporting RA-SDT and CG-SDT as the UL response, and for initial DL data reception and subsequent UL/DL data transmissionsin RRC_INACTIVE; Data transmission in DL within paging message is not in scope

None identified so far

RAN3-led

RP-213601

WI: Mobile IAB

Migration/topology adaptation to enable IAB-node mobility, including inter-donor migration of the entire mobile IAB-node (full migration); Ability to serve legacy UEs

From "Aspects that involve other WGs"

Alignment and coordination with Rel-18 SA2 work on VMR should be considered, if needed.

RP-213602

WI: Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) for NG-RAN

Specify data collection enhancements and signaling support within existing NG-RAN interfaces and architecture (including non-split architecture and split architecture) for AI/ML-based Network Energy Saving, Load Balancing and Mobility Optimization

From "Objective"

Note: On security impacts, coordination with SA3 when needed. On OAM aspects, coordination with SA5 when needed.

RP-213553

WI: Further enhancement of data collection for SON (Self-Organising Networks)/MDT (Minimization of Drive Tests) in NR and EN-DC

Specify data collection enhancement in NR for SON/MDT purpose; Including "left-over" features (i.e. MR-DC CPAC and MRO successful PScell change report, fast MCG recovery, NR-U) and MRO enhancement for inter-system handover voice fallback; UE reporting necessary to enhance mobility parameter tuning; Inter-node information exchange, including possible enhancements to interfaces; Support for RACH enhancements, NPN; Support of signaling based logged MDT override protection to address scenario where signaling based MDT configured in LTE, UE comes to connected in NR.

From "Objective"

If needed, co-operate with RAN1, SA2, SA5, CT4.

RP-213594

WI: Enhancement on NR QoE management and optimizations for diverse services

Support new service type, defined or to be supported by SA4. Support RAN-visible parameters for additional service types, and existing service; Configuration and collection in RRC_INACTIVE and RRC_IDLE states for MBS, at least for broadcast service; Support for QoE in NR-DC; Left-over features Rel-17; Support continuity of legacy QoE measurement job for  streaming and MTSI service during intra-5GC inter-RAT handover process

From "Objective"

Support for new service type, such as AR, MR, MBS and other new service type defined or to be supported by SA4. Support RAN-visible parameters for the additional service types, and  the existing service if needed, and the coordination with SA4 is needed[RAN3, RAN2].

Specify the new service and the existing service defined or to be supported by SA4, combined with high mobility scenarios, e.g., High Speed Trains.

[…] Other objectives: Note 3: If needed, co-operate with other working groups, e.g. SA4/SA5/SA2/CT1.

From "Aspects that involve other WGs"

TSG SA4:       for Codec aspects

TSG SA5:       for the QoE measurement configuration and reporting aspects

TSG SA2:       for the QoE measurement related procedures aspects

TSG CT1:      for the UE internal handling between its Access Stratum and upper layers

RP-213677

SI: Study on Enhancement for resiliency of gNB-CU-CP

Study and identify failure scenarios associated with the gNB-CU-CP, based on the current architecture for the NG-RAN

None identified so far

RAN4-led

RP-213603

WI: NR support for dedicated spectrum less than 5MHz for FR1

Dedicated spectrum in FR1; Spectrum allocations from approximately 3 MHz upto below 5 MHz; RAN1 necessary physical layer changes; RAN4 requirements at least in bands n100, n8, n26 and n28

None identified so far

SP-211594

Study on System Enabler for Service Function Chaining

FS_SFC

SP-211595

MPS when access to EPC/5GC is WLAN

MPS_WLAN

SP-211603

Study on Generic group management, exposure and communication enhancements

FS_GMEC

SP-211612

Study on Access Traffic Steering, Switching and Splitting support in = 5G system architecture; Phase 3

FS_ATSSS_Ph3

SP-211656

Study on Enhanced support of Non-Public Networks phase 2

FS_eNPN_Ph2

SP-211632

Study on Phase 2 for UAS, UAV and UAM

FS_UAS_Ph2

SP-211633

Study on Extensions to the TSC Framework to support DetNet

FS_DetNet

SP-211634

Study on 5G Timing Resiliency and TSC & URLLC enhancements

FS_5TRS_URLLC

SP-211635

Study on RedCap Phase 2

FS_REDCAP_Ph2

SP-211636

Study on Vehicle Mounted Relays

FS_VMR

SP-211637

Study on 5GC LoCation Services Phase 3

FS_eLCS_Ph3

SP-211638

Study on Edge Computing Phase 2

FS_EDGE_Ph2

SP-211639

Study on 5G System with Satellite Backhaul

FS_5GSATB

SP-211640

Study on Support for 5WWC Phase 2

FS_5WWC_Ph2

SP-211641

Study on Network Slicing Phase 3

FS_eNS_Ph3

SP-211642

Study on 5G AM Policy Phase 2

FS_AMP_Ph2

SP-211643

Study on Personal IoT Networks

FS_PIN

SP-211644

Study on Evolution of IMS multimedia telephony service

FS_MMTELin5G

SP-211645

Study on 5G multicast-broadcast services Phase 2

FS_5MBS_Ph2

SP-211646

Study on XR (Extended Reality) and media services

FS_XRM

SP-211647

Study on Ranging based services and sidelink positioning

FS_Ranging_SL

SP-211648

Study on System Support for AI/ML-based Services

FS_AIML

SP-211649

Study on 5G UE Policy Phase 2

FS_UEPO_Ph2

SP-211650

Study on Enablers for Network Automation for 5G - Phase 3

FS_eNA_Ph3

SP-211651

Study on Satellite access Phase 2

FS_5GSAT_Ph2

SP-211652

Study on UPF enhancement for Exposure And SBA

FS_UPEAS

SP-211653

Study on Proximity-based Services in 5GS Phase 2

FS_5G_ProSe_Ph2

SP-211654

Study on Seamless UE context recovery.

FS_SUECR