Methods and apparatus for scheduling in uplink

A network node configured for operation in a wireless communication network, and configured to use an uplink signal structure defining transmission subframes divided into symbol periods, the network node comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the network node to:
• transmit an uplink grant message for the wireless device, granting uplink resources for an uplink transmission by the wireless device in a short scheduling interval that is shorter in number of symbol periods than the length of the transmission subframes, the uplink grant message including a field comprising a sequence of bits indicating:
• the length in number of symbol periods of the short scheduling interval;
• a position of a first symbol period within the short scheduling interval comprising a demodulation reference signal;
• and
• whether further symbol periods within the short scheduling interval comprise a demodulation reference signal.

A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a computer program for operation by a network node in a wireless communication network, the network node configured to use an uplink signal structure defining transmission subframes divided into symbol periods, the computer program comprising computer program code that, when run on a processor of the network node, causes the network node to:

• transmit an uplink grant message for the wireless device, granting uplink resources for an uplink transmission by the wireless device in a short scheduling interval that is shorter in number of symbol periods than the length of the transmission subframes, the uplink grant message including a field comprising a sequence of bits indicating:
• the length in number of symbol periods of the short scheduling interval;
• a position of a first symbol period within the short scheduling interval comprising a demodulation reference signal;
• and whether further symbol periods within the short scheduling interval comprise a demodulation reference signal.

A method performed by a wireless device of a wireless communication network for transmitting signals in uplink, wherein an uplink signal structure used by the wireless device defines transmission subframes divided into symbol periods, the method comprising:

• receiving an uplink grant message for the wireless device, granting uplink resources for an uplink transmission by the wireless device in a short scheduling interval that is shorter in number of symbol periods than the length of the transmission subframes, the uplink grant message including a field comprising a sequence of bits indicating:
• the length in number of symbol periods of the short scheduling interval;
• a position of a first symbol period within the short scheduling interval comprising a demodulation reference signal;
• and whether further symbol periods within the short scheduling interval comprise a demodulation reference signal;
• and
• performing the uplink transmission on the granted uplink resources.

A wireless device configured for operation in a wireless communication network, and configured to use an uplink signal structure defining transmission subframes divided into symbol periods, the wireless device comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the wireless device to:
• receive an uplink grant message for the wireless device, granting uplink resources for an uplink transmission by the wireless device in a short scheduling interval that is shorter in number of symbol periods than the length of the transmission subframes, the uplink grant message includes a field comprising a sequence of bits indicating:
• the length in number of symbol periods of the short scheduling interval;
• a position of a first symbol period within the short scheduling interval comprising a demodulation reference signal;
• and
• whether further symbol periods within the short scheduling interval comprise a demodulation reference signal;
• and
• perform the uplink transmission on the granted uplink resources.

A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a computer program for operation by a wireless device of a wireless communication network, the wireless device configured for transmitting signals in uplink, wherein an uplink signal structure used by the wireless device defines transmission subframes divided symbol periods, the computer program comprising computer program code that, when run on a processor of the wireless device, causes the wireless device to:

• receive an uplink grant message for the wireless device, granting uplink resources for an uplink transmission by the wireless device in a short scheduling interval that is shorter in number of symbol periods than the length of the transmission subframes, the uplink grant message including a field comprising a sequence of bits indicating:
• the length in number of symbol periods of the short scheduling interval;
• a position of a first symbol period within the short scheduling interval comprising a demodulation reference signal;
• and whether further symbol periods within the short scheduling interval comprise a demodulation reference signal;
• and
• perform the uplink transmission on the granted uplink resources.