LABELING FOR HIGHER ORDER MODULATION POLAR CODES

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. Various aspects relate generally to labeling of modulation constellations. Some aspects more specifically relate to signaling to support selection of labeling configurations of modulation constellations. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) transmits capability information indicating one or more capabilities relating to selection of a labeling configuration that indicates labels for symbols of a modulation constellation. A network node may transmit an indication of a labeling configuration in accordance with the capability information. The labeling configuration, in some examples, may include a Gray labeling configuration that is configured to improve polar coding performance.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication and specifically relate to techniques, apparatuses, and methods for labeling for higher order modulation polar codes.

BACKGROUND

Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various services that may include carrying voice, text, messaging, video, data, and/or other traffic. The services may include unicast, multicast, and/or broadcast services, among other examples. Typical wireless communication systems may employ multiple-access radio access technologies (RATs) capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (for example, time domain resources, frequency domain resources, spatial domain resources, and/or device transmit power, among other examples). Examples of such multiple-access RATs include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) systems, and time division synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA) systems.

The above multiple-access RATs have been adopted in various telecommunication standards to provide common protocols that enable different wireless communication devices to communicate on a municipal, national, regional, or global level. An example telecommunication standard is New Radio (NR). NR, which may also be referred to as 5G, is part of a continuous mobile broadband evolution promulgated by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). NR (and other mobile broadband evolutions beyond NR) may be designed to better support Internet of things (IoT) and reduced capability device deployments, industrial connectivity, millimeter wave (mmWave) expansion, licensed and unlicensed spectrum access, non-terrestrial network (NTN) deployment, sidelink and other device-to-device direct communication technologies (for example, cellular vehicle-to-everything (CV2X) communication), massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), disaggregated network architectures and network topology expansions, multiple-subscriber implementations, high-precision positioning, and/or radio frequency (RF) sensing, among other examples. As the demand for mobile broadband access continues to increase, further improvements in NR may be implemented, and other radio access technologies such as 6G may be introduced, to further advance mobile broadband evolution.

Wireless communication devices may communicate via a channel, referred to as a wireless communication channel. A wireless communication channel may introduce errors in communications due to random noise, interference, device impairments, and other factors. These errors may corrupt received communications at a receiver. Channel coding provides resilience against and correction of such corruption.

SUMMARY

Some aspects described herein relate to a method of wireless communication performed at a user equipment (UE). The method may include transmitting capability information indicating one or more capabilities relating to selection of a labeling configuration that indicates labels for symbols of a modulation constellation. The method may include receiving an indication of the labeling configuration in accordance with the capability information. The method may include performing a communication in accordance with the labeling configuration.

Some aspects described herein relate to a method of wireless communication performed at a network node. The method may include receiving capability information indicating one or more capabilities relating to selection of a labeling configuration that indicates labels for symbols of a modulation constellation. The method may include transmitting an indication of the labeling configuration in accordance with the capability information. The method may include performing a communication in accordance with the labeling configuration.

Some aspects described herein relate to a UE for wireless communication. The UE may include a processing system that includes one or more processors and one or more memories coupled with the one or more processors, the processing system configured to cause the UE to transmit capability information indicating one or more capabilities relating to selection of a labeling configuration that indicates labels for symbols of a modulation constellation. The processing system may be configured to cause the UE to receive an indication of the labeling configuration in accordance with the capability information. The processing system may be configured to cause the UE to perform a communication in accordance with the labeling configuration.

Some aspects described herein relate to a network node for wireless communication. The network node may include a processing system that includes one or more processors and one or more memories coupled with the one or more processors, the processing system configured to cause the network node to receive capability information indicating one or more capabilities relating to selection of a labeling configuration that indicates labels for symbols of a modulation constellation. The processing system may be configured to cause the network node to transmit an indication of the labeling configuration in accordance with the capability information. The processing system may be configured to cause the network node to perform a communication in accordance with the labeling configuration.

Some aspects described herein relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores a set of instructions for wireless communication by a UE. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the UE, may cause the UE to transmit capability information indicating one or more capabilities relating to selection of a labeling configuration that indicates labels for symbols of a modulation constellation. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the UE, may cause the UE to receive an indication of the labeling configuration in accordance with the capability information. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the UE, may cause the UE to perform a communication in accordance with the labeling configuration.

Some aspects described herein relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores a set of instructions for wireless communication by a network node. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the network node, may cause the network node to receive capability information indicating one or more capabilities relating to selection of a labeling configuration that indicates labels for symbols of a modulation constellation. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the network node, may cause the network node to transmit an indication of the labeling configuration in accordance with the capability information. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the network node, may cause the network node to perform a communication in accordance with the labeling configuration.

Some aspects described herein relate to an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatus may include means for transmitting capability information indicating one or more capabilities relating to selection of a labeling configuration that indicates labels for symbols of a modulation constellation. The apparatus may include means for receiving an indication of the labeling configuration in accordance with the capability information. The apparatus may include means for performing a communication in accordance with the labeling configuration.

Some aspects described herein relate to an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatus may include means for receiving capability information indicating one or more capabilities relating to selection of a labeling configuration that indicates labels for symbols of a modulation constellation. The apparatus may include means for transmitting an indication of the labeling configuration in accordance with the capability information. The apparatus may include means for performing a communication in accordance with the labeling configuration.

Aspects of the present disclosure may generally be implemented by or as a method, apparatus, system, computer program product, non-transitory computer-readable medium, user equipment, base station, network node, network entity, wireless communication device, and/or processing system as substantially described with reference to, and as illustrated by, the specification and accompanying drawings.

The foregoing paragraphs of this section have broadly summarized some aspects of the present disclosure. These and additional aspects and associated advantages will be described hereinafter. The disclosed aspects may be used as a basis for modifying or designing other aspects for carrying out the same or similar purposes of the present disclosure. Such equivalent aspects do not depart from the scope of the appended claims. Characteristics of the aspects disclosed herein, both their organization and method of operation, together with associated advantages, will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects of the present disclosure are described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, aspects of the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and is not to be construed as limited to any specific aspect illustrated by or described with reference to an accompanying drawing or otherwise presented in this disclosure. Rather, these aspects are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. One skilled in the art may appreciate that the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover any aspect of the disclosure disclosed herein, whether implemented independently of or in combination with any other aspect of the disclosure. For example, an apparatus may be implemented or a method may be practiced using various combinations or quantities of the aspects set forth herein. In addition, the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover an apparatus having, or a method that is practiced using, other structures and/or functionalities in addition to or other than the structures and/or functionalities with which various aspects of the disclosure set forth herein may be practiced. Any aspect of the disclosure disclosed herein may be embodied by one or more elements of a claim.

Several aspects of telecommunication systems will now be presented with reference to various methods, operations, apparatuses, and techniques. These methods, operations, apparatuses, and techniques will be described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, modules, components, circuits, steps, processes, or algorithms (collectively referred to as “elements”). These elements may be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. Whether such elements are implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.

A wireless communication channel may introduce errors in communications due to random noise, interference, device impairments, and other factors. These errors may corrupt such communications at a receiver. Channel coding provides resilience against and correction of such errors.

Wireless communications may be encoded using channel coding to improve resilience to non-ideal channel conditions. One type of channel code is a polar code. Polar coding involves channel combining and channel splitting. At the transmitter, channel combining maps combinations of bits or symbols to specific channels. The channel splitting may include an implicit transformation operation (analogous to frequency domain to time domain conversion as performed by an inverse Fast Fourier transform (IFFT) operation), translating these bit/symbol combinations into time domain vectors. The decoding operation at the receiver, in symmetry with the encoding, estimates these time domain bit streams using a successive-cancellation decoding technique, analogous to spectral domain estimation. Polar coding, including channel splitting and successive-cancellation decoding, converts a block of bits, and their associated channels between the encoder and decoder, into a polarized bit stream at the receiver. Bit positions (channels) in a polar coding regime can be highly reliable (a “good channel”) or highly unreliable (a “bad channel”). Polar coding provides for data to be mapped to reliable bit positions and for unreliable bit positions to be replaced with fixed values referred to as frozen bits.

Polar coding can support higher-order modulation, such as via bit-interleaved-coded modulation (BICM). Some forms of modulation use a modulation constellation, which includes a number of points (symbols, modulation symbols) that are each labeled with a respective bit tuple according to a labeling configuration. One type of labeling configuration is a Gray labeling configuration. In a Gray labeling configuration (for binary labeling), a difference between the bit tuples of each adjacent pair of points (modulation symbols) is a single bit value (e.g., only one bit value). There are typically multiple different Gray labeling configurations that can be applied for a given modulation constellation. Different Gray labeling configurations may have differences in performance of communications modulated according to the different Gray labeling configurations. For example, a potential performance difference (such as a potential performance gain) may increase as a size (such as a number of bits or a number of points) of the modulation constellation increases. Furthermore, in the context of polar coding, frozen bits are (in part) a function of labeling of the modulation constellation. Thus, frozen bits may be chosen using the labels of the modulation constellation. Because of this, some Gray labeling configurations may provide improved performance, in the context of polar coding, than a baseline Gray labeling configuration. For example, a Gray labeling configuration may provide a reduced block error rate (BLER) or increased mutual information (MI) relative to another Gray labeling configuration (such as a baseline Gray labeling configuration) for a given set of frozen bits.

As described, it may be beneficial to use different labeling configurations (such as different Gray labeling configurations) in different scenarios. For example, a first labeling configuration may be preferable for a first modulation order (such as while using polar coding) and a second labeling configuration may be preferable for a second modulation order. As another example, a first labeling configuration may be preferable in a first set of channel conditions and a second labeling configuration may be preferable in a second set of channel conditions. However, some UEs (such as legacy UEs) may not support use of different labeling configurations for a given modulation constellation, whereas other UEs may support use of different labeling configurations for the given modulation constellation. Furthermore, some UEs may have different processing capabilities or timelines for using or changing a given labeling configuration. If a network node configures labeling configuration usage without taking into account such differences, capabilities of different UEs may be sub-optimally utilized, leading to decreases in throughput, failures of communications and/or failure to realize the potential performance gains of polar coding.

Various aspects relate generally to labeling of modulation constellations. Some aspects more specifically relate to signaling to support selection of labeling configurations of modulation constellations. In some aspects, a UE transmits capability information indicating one or more capabilities relating to selection or use of labeling configurations that indicate labels for symbols of a modulation constellation. For example, the one or more capabilities may indicate support for one or more labeling configurations or for changing a labeling configuration. The network node may transmit an indication of a labeling configuration in accordance with the capability information. The UE may perform a communication (such as a polar coded communication) in accordance with the indication of the labeling configuration. In some aspects, the indication includes the labeling configuration itself or a sorted bit table associated with the labeling configuration. In some aspects, the indication may indicate one or more differences between a baseline sorted bit table (indicating frozen bits for polar coding) and the sorted bit table associated with the labeling configuration.

Particular aspects of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented to realize one or more of the following potential advantages. In some examples, by providing the indication of the labeling configuration in accordance with the capability information, the described techniques can be used to improve capability utilization of different UEs with regard to labeling configurations, thereby increasing throughput, reducing the occurrence of failures of communications, and improving performance of polar coding. By using the labeling configuration in accordance with the indication, the UE improves support for higher modulation orders by improving the efficiency of polar coding. By configuring the labeling configuration itself (as compared to an index that identifies the labeling configuration), the network node increases flexibility of configuration of the labeling configuration for differing or various channel conditions. By indicating the difference between the baseline sorted bit table and the sorted bit table associated with the labeling configuration, overhead is reduced relative to explicitly configuring the sorted bit table associated with the labeling configuration.

Multiple-access radio access technologies (RATs) have been adopted in various telecommunication standards to provide common protocols that enable wireless communication devices to communicate on a municipal, enterprise, national, regional, or global level. For example, 5G New Radio (NR) is part of a continuous mobile broadband evolution promulgated by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). 5G NR supports various technologies and use cases including enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), massive machine-type communication (mMTC), millimeter wave (mmWave) technology, beamforming, network slicing, edge computing, Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity and management, and network function virtualization (NFV).

As the demand for broadband access increases and as technologies supported by wireless communication networks evolve, further technological improvements may be adopted in or implemented for 5G NR or future RATs, such as 6G, to further advance the evolution of wireless communication for a wide variety of existing and new use cases and applications. Such technological improvements may be associated with new frequency band expansion, licensed and unlicensed spectrum access, overlapping spectrum use, small cell deployments, non-terrestrial network (NTN) deployments, disaggregated network architectures and network topology expansion, device aggregation, advanced duplex communication, sidelink and other device-to-device direct communication, IoT (including passive or ambient IoT) networks, reduced capability (RedCap) UE functionality, industrial connectivity, multiple-subscriber implementations, high-precision positioning, radio frequency (RF) sensing, and/or artificial intelligence or machine learning (AI/ML), among other examples. These technological improvements may support use cases such as wireless backhauls, wireless data centers, extended reality (XR) and metaverse applications, meta services for supporting vehicle connectivity, holographic and mixed reality communication, autonomous and collaborative robots, vehicle platooning and cooperative maneuvering, sensing networks, gesture monitoring, human-brain interfacing, digital twin applications, asset management, and universal coverage applications using non-terrestrial and/or aerial platforms, among other examples. The methods, operations, apparatuses, and techniques described herein may enable one or more of the foregoing technologies and/or support one or more of the foregoing use cases.

FIG.1is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication network100in accordance with the present disclosure. The wireless communication network100may be or may include elements of a 5G (or NR) network or a 6G network, among other examples. The wireless communication network100may include multiple network nodes110, shown as a network node (NN)110a, a network node110b, a network node110c, and a network node110d. The network nodes110may support communications with multiple UEs120, shown as a UE120a, a UE120b, a UE120c, a UE120d, and a UE120e.

The network nodes110and the UEs120of the wireless communication network100may communicate using the electromagnetic spectrum, which may be subdivided by frequency or wavelength into various classes, bands, carriers, and/or channels. For example, devices of the wireless communication network100may communicate using one or more operating bands. In some aspects, multiple wireless networks100may be deployed in a given geographic area. Each wireless communication network100may support a particular RAT (which may also be referred to as an air interface) and may operate on one or more carrier frequencies in one or more frequency ranges. Examples of RATs include a 4G RAT, a 5G/NR RAT, and/or a 6G RAT, among other examples. In some examples, when multiple RATs are deployed in a given geographic area, each RAT in the geographic area may operate on different frequencies to avoid interference with one another.

Various operating bands have been defined as frequency range designations FR1 (410 MHz through 7.125 GHz), FR2 (24.25 GHz through 52.6 GHz), FR3 (7.125 GHz through 24.25 GHz), FR4a or FR4-1 (52.6 GHz through 71 GHz), FR4 (52.6 GHz through 114.25 GHz), and FR5 (114.25 GHz through 300 GHz). Although a portion of FR1 is greater than 6 GHz, FR1 is often referred to (interchangeably) as a “Sub-6 GHz” band in some documents and articles. Similarly, FR2 is often referred to (interchangeably) as a “millimeter wave” band in some documents and articles, despite being different than the extremely high frequency (EHF) band (30 GHz through 300 GHz), which is identified by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) as a “millimeter wave” band. The frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are often referred to as mid-band frequencies, which include FR3. Frequency bands falling within FR3 may inherit FR1 characteristics or FR2 characteristics, and thus may effectively extend features of FR1 or FR2 into mid-band frequencies. Thus, “sub-6 GHz,” if used herein, may broadly refer to frequencies that are less than 6 GHz, that are within FR1, and/or that are included in mid-band frequencies. Similarly, the term “millimeter wave,” if used herein, may broadly refer to frequencies that are included in mid-band frequencies, that are within FR2, FR4, FR4-a or FR4-1, or FR5, and/or that are within the EHF band. Higher frequency bands may extend 5G NR operation, 6G operation, and/or other RATs beyond 52.6 GHz. For example, each of FR4a, FR4-1, FR4, and FR5 falls within the EHF band. In some examples, the wireless communication network100may implement dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS), in which multiple RATs (for example, 4G/LTE and 5G/NR) are implemented with dynamic bandwidth allocation (for example, based on user demand) in a single frequency band. It is contemplated that the frequencies included in these operating bands (for example, FR1, FR2, FR3, FR4, FR4-a, FR4-1, and/or FR5) may be modified, and techniques described herein may be applicable to those modified frequency ranges.

A network node110may include one or more devices, components, or systems that enable communication between a UE120and one or more devices, components, or systems of the wireless communication network100. A network node110may be, may include, or may also be referred to as an NR network node, a 5G network node, a 6G network node, a Node B, an eNB, a gNB, an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a mobility element, a core, a network entity, a network element, a network equipment, and/or another type of device, component, or system included in a radio access network (RAN).

A network node110may be implemented as a single physical node (for example, a single physical structure) or may be implemented as two or more physical nodes (for example, two or more distinct physical structures). For example, a network node110may be a device or system that implements part of a radio protocol stack, a device or system that implements a full radio protocol stack (such as a full gNB protocol stack), or a collection of devices or systems that collectively implement the full radio protocol stack. For example, and as shown, a network node110may be an aggregated network node (having an aggregated architecture), meaning that the network node110may implement a full radio protocol stack that is physically and logically integrated within a single node (for example, a single physical structure) in the wireless communication network100. For example, an aggregated network node110may consist of a single standalone base station or a single TRP that uses a full radio protocol stack to enable or facilitate communication between a UE120and a core network of the wireless communication network100.

Alternatively, and as also shown, a network node110may be a disaggregated network node (sometimes referred to as a disaggregated base station), meaning that the network node110may implement a radio protocol stack that is physically distributed and/or logically distributed among two or more nodes in the same geographic location or in different geographic locations. For example, a disaggregated network node may have a disaggregated architecture. In some deployments, disaggregated network nodes110may be used in an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) network, in an open radio access network (O-RAN) (such as a network configuration in compliance with the O-RAN Alliance), or in a virtualized radio access network (vRAN), also known as a cloud radio access network (C-RAN), to facilitate scaling by separating base station functionality into multiple units that can be individually deployed.

The network nodes110of the wireless communication network100may include one or more central units (CUs), one or more distributed units (DUs), and/or one or more radio units (RUs). A CU may host one or more higher layer control functions, such as radio resource control (RRC) functions, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) functions, and/or service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) functions, among other examples. A DU may host one or more of a radio link control (RLC) layer, a medium access control (MAC) layer, and/or one or more higher physical (PHY) layers depending, at least in part, on a functional split, such as a functional split defined by the 3GPP. In some examples, a DU also may host one or more lower PHY layer functions, such as a fast Fourier transform (FFT), an inverse FFT (iFFT), beamforming, physical random access channel (PRACH) extraction and filtering, and/or scheduling of resources for one or more UEs120, among other examples. An RU may host RF processing functions or lower PHY layer functions, such as an FFT, an iFFT, beamforming, or PRACH extraction and filtering, among other examples, according to a functional split, such as a lower layer functional split. In such an architecture, each RU can be operated to handle over the air (OTA) communication with one or more UEs120.

In some aspects, a single network node110may include a combination of one or more CUs, one or more DUs, and/or one or more RUs. Additionally or alternatively, a network node110may include one or more Near-Real Time (Near-RT) RAN Intelligent Controllers (RICs) and/or one or more Non-Real Time (Non-RT) RICs. In some examples, a CU, a DU, and/or an RU may be implemented as a virtual unit, such as a virtual central unit (VCU), a virtual distributed unit (VDU), or a virtual radio unit (VRU), among other examples. A virtual unit may be implemented as a virtual network function, such as associated with a cloud deployment.

Some network nodes110(for example, a base station, an RU, or a TRP) may provide communication coverage for a particular geographic area. In the 3GPP, the term “cell” can refer to a coverage area of a network node110or to a network node110itself, depending on the context in which the term is used. A network node110may support one or multiple (for example, three) cells. In some examples, a network node110may provide communication coverage for a macro cell, a pico cell, a femto cell, or another type of cell. A macro cell may cover a relatively large geographic area (for example, several kilometers in radius) and may allow unrestricted access by UEs120with service subscriptions. A pico cell may cover a relatively small geographic area and may allow unrestricted access by UEs120with service subscriptions. A femto cell may cover a relatively small geographic area (for example, a home) and may allow restricted access by UEs120having association with the femto cell (for example, UEs120in a closed subscriber group (CSG)). A network node110for a macro cell may be referred to as a macro network node. A network node110for a pico cell may be referred to as a pico network node. A network node110for a femto cell may be referred to as a femto network node or an in-home network node. In some examples, a cell may not necessarily be stationary. For example, the geographic area of the cell may move according to the location of an associated mobile network node110(for example, a train, a satellite base station, an unmanned aerial vehicle, or a non-terrestrial network (NTN) network node).

The wireless communication network100may be a heterogeneous network that includes network nodes110of different types, such as macro network nodes, pico network nodes, femto network nodes, relay network nodes, aggregated network nodes, and/or disaggregated network nodes, among other examples. In the example shown inFIG.1, the network node110amay be a macro network node for a macro cell130a, the network node110bmay be a pico network node for a pico cell130b, and the network node110cmay be a femto network node for a femto cell130c.Various different types of network nodes110may generally transmit at different power levels, serve different coverage areas, and/or have different impacts on interference in the wireless communication network100than other types of network nodes110. For example, macro network nodes may have a high transmit power level (for example, 5 to 40 watts), whereas pico network nodes, femto network nodes, and relay network nodes may have lower transmit power levels (for example, 0.1 to 2 watts).

In some examples, a network node110may be, may include, or may operate as an RU, a TRP, or a base station that communicates with one or more UEs120via a radio access link (which may be referred to as a “Uu” link). The radio access link may include a downlink and an uplink. “Downlink” (or “DL”) refers to a communication direction from a network node110to a UE120, and “uplink” (or “UL”) refers to a communication direction from a UE120to a network node110. Downlink channels may include one or more control channels and one or more data channels. A downlink control channel may be used to transmit downlink control information (DCI) (for example, scheduling information, reference signals, and/or configuration information) from a network node110to a UE120. A downlink data channel may be used to transmit downlink data (for example, user data associated with a UE120) from a network node110to a UE120. Downlink control channels may include one or more physical downlink control channels (PDCCHs), and downlink data channels may include one or more physical downlink shared channels (PDSCHs). Uplink channels may similarly include one or more control channels and one or more data channels. An uplink control channel may be used to transmit uplink control information (UCI) (for example, reference signals and/or feedback corresponding to one or more downlink transmissions) from a UE120to a network node110. An uplink data channel may be used to transmit uplink data (for example, user data associated with a UE120) from a UE120to a network node110. Uplink control channels may include one or more physical uplink control channels (PUCCHs), and uplink data channels may include one or more physical uplink shared channels (PUSCHs). The downlink and the uplink may each include a set of resources on which the network node110and the UE120may communicate.

Downlink and uplink resources may include time domain resources (frames, subframes, slots, and/or symbols), frequency domain resources (frequency bands, component carriers, subcarriers, resource blocks, and/or resource elements), and/or spatial domain resources (particular transmit directions and/or beam parameters). Frequency domain resources of some bands may be subdivided into bandwidth parts (BWPs). A BWP may be a continuous block of frequency domain resources (for example, a continuous block of resource blocks) that are allocated for one or more UEs120. A UE120may be configured with both an uplink BWP and a downlink BWP (where the uplink BWP and the downlink BWP may be the same BWP or different BWPs). A BWP may be dynamically configured (for example, by a network node110transmitting a DCI configuration to the one or more UEs120) and/or reconfigured, which means that a BWP can be adjusted in real-time (or near-real-time) based on changing network conditions in the wireless communication network100and/or based on the specific requirements of the one or more UEs120. This enables more efficient use of the available frequency domain resources in the wireless communication network100because fewer frequency domain resources may be allocated to a BWP for a UE120(which may reduce the quantity of frequency domain resources that a UE120is required to monitor), leaving more frequency domain resources to be spread across multiple UEs120. Thus, BWPs may also assist in the implementation of lower-capability UEs120by facilitating the configuration of smaller bandwidths for communication by such UEs120.

As described above, in some aspects, the wireless communication network100may be, may include, or may be included in, an IAB network. In an IAB network, at least one network node110is an anchor network node that communicates with a core network. An anchor network node110may also be referred to as an IAB donor (or “IAB-donor”). The anchor network node110may connect to the core network via a wired backhaul link. For example, an Ng interface of the anchor network node110may terminate at the core network. Additionally or alternatively, an anchor network node110may connect to one or more devices of the core network that provide a core access and mobility management function (AMF). An IAB network also generally includes multiple non-anchor network nodes110, which may also be referred to as relay network nodes or simply as IAB nodes (or “IAB-nodes”). Each non-anchor network node110may communicate directly with the anchor network node110via a wireless backhaul link to access the core network, or may communicate indirectly with the anchor network node110via one or more other non-anchor network nodes110and associated wireless backhaul links that form a backhaul path to the core network. Some anchor network node110or other non-anchor network node110may also communicate directly with one or more UEs120via wireless access links that carry access traffic. In some examples, network resources for wireless communication (such as time resources, frequency resources, and/or spatial resources) may be shared between access links and backhaul links.

In some examples, any network node110that relays communications may be referred to as a relay network node, a relay station, or simply as a relay. A relay may receive a transmission of a communication from an upstream station (for example, another network node110or a UE120) and transmit the communication to a downstream station (for example, a UE120or another network node110). In this case, the wireless communication network100may include or be referred to as a “multi-hop network.” In the example shown inFIG.1, the network node110d(for example, a relay network node) may communicate with the network node110a(for example, a macro network node) and the UE120din order to facilitate communication between the network node110aand the UE120d. Additionally or alternatively, a UE120may be or may operate as a relay station that can relay transmissions to or from other UEs120. A UE120that relays communications may be referred to as a UE relay or a relay UE, among other examples.

The UEs120may be physically dispersed throughout the wireless communication network100, and each UE120may be stationary or mobile. A UE120may be, may include, or may be included in an access terminal, another terminal, a mobile station, or a subscriber unit. A UE120may be, include, or be coupled with a cellular phone (for example, a smart phone), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem, a wireless communication device, a handheld device, a laptop computer, a cordless phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a tablet, a camera, a gaming device, a netbook, a smartbook, an ultrabook, a medical device, a biometric device, a wearable device (for example, a smart watch, smart clothing, smart glasses, a smart wristband, and/or smart jewelry, such as a smart ring or a smart bracelet), an entertainment device (for example, a music device, a video device, and/or a satellite radio), an extended reality (XR) device, a vehicular component or sensor, a smart meter or sensor, industrial manufacturing equipment, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) device (such as a Global Positioning System device or another type of positioning device), a UE function of a network node, and/or any other suitable device or function that may communicate via a wireless medium.

A UE120and/or a network node110may include one or more chips, system-on-chips (SoCs), chipsets, packages, or devices that individually or collectively constitute or comprise a processing system. The processing system includes processor (or “processing”) circuitry in the form of one or multiple processors, microprocessors, processing units (such as central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), neural processing units (NPUs) and/or digital signal processors (DSPs)), processing blocks, application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), programmable logic devices (PLDs) (such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)), or other discrete gate or transistor logic or circuitry (all of which may be generally referred to herein individually as “processors” or collectively as “the processor” or “the processor circuitry”). One or more of the processors may be individually or collectively configurable or configured to perform various functions or operations described herein. A group of processors collectively configurable or configured to perform a set of functions may include a first processor configurable or configured to perform a first function of the set and a second processor configurable or configured to perform a second function of the set, or may include the group of processors all being configured or configurable to perform the set of functions.

The processing system may further include memory circuitry in the form of one or more memory devices, memory blocks, memory elements or other discrete gate or transistor logic or circuitry, each of which may include tangible storage media such as random-access memory (RAM) or read-only memory (ROM), or combinations thereof (all of which may be generally referred to herein individually as “memories” or collectively as “the memory” or “the memory circuitry”). One or more of the memories may be coupled (for example, operatively coupled, communicatively coupled, electronically coupled, or electrically coupled) with one or more of the processors and may individually or collectively store processor-executable code (such as software) that, when executed by one or more of the processors, may configure one or more of the processors to perform various functions or operations described herein. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, one or more of the processors may be preconfigured to perform various functions or operations described herein without requiring configuration by software. The processing system may further include or be coupled with one or more modems (such as a Wi-Fi (for example, IEEE compliant) modem or a cellular (for example, 3GPP 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE), 5G, or 6G compliant) modem). In some implementations, one or more processors of the processing system include or implement one or more of the modems. The processing system may further include or be coupled with multiple radios (collectively “the radio”), multiple RF chains, or multiple transceivers, each of which may in turn be coupled with one or more of multiple antennas. In some implementations, one or more processors of the processing system include or implement one or more of the radios, RF chains or transceivers. The UE120may include or may be included in a housing that houses components associated with the UE120including the processing system.

Some UEs120may be considered machine-type communication (MTC) UEs, evolved or enhanced machine-type communication (eMTC) UEs, further enhanced eMTC (feMTC) UEs, or enhanced feMTC (efeMTC) UEs, or further evolutions thereof, all of which may be simply referred to as “MTC UEs”. An MTC UE may be, may include, or may be included in or coupled with a robot, an unmanned aerial vehicle or drone, a remote device, a sensor, a meter, a monitor, and/or a location tag. Some UEs120may be considered IoT devices and/or may be implemented as NB-IoT (narrowband IoT) devices. An IoT UE or NB-IoT device may be, may include, or may be included in or coupled with an industrial machine, an appliance, a refrigerator, a doorbell camera device, a home automation device, and/or a light fixture, among other examples. Some UEs120may be considered Customer Premises Equipment, which may include telecommunications devices that are installed at a customer location (such as a home or office) to enable access to a service provider's network (such as included in or in communication with the wireless communication network100).

Some UEs120may be classified according to different categories in association with different complexities and/or different capabilities. UEs120in a first category may facilitate massive IoT in the wireless communication network100, and may offer low complexity and/or cost relative to UEs120in a second category. UEs120in a second category may include mission-critical IoT devices, legacy UEs, baseline UEs, high-tier UEs, advanced UEs, full-capability UEs, and/or premium UEs that are capable of URLLC, enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), and/or precise positioning in the wireless communication network100, among other examples. A third category of UEs120may have mid-tier complexity and/or capability (for example, a capability between UEs120of the first category and UEs120of the second capability). A UE120of the third category may be referred to as a reduced capacity UE (“RedCap UE”), a mid-tier UE, an NR-Light UE, and/or an NR-Lite UE, among other examples. RedCap UEs may bridge a gap between the capability and complexity of NB-IoT devices and/or eMTC UEs, and mission-critical IoT devices and/or premium UEs. RedCap UEs may include, for example, wearable devices, IoT devices, industrial sensors, and/or cameras that are associated with a limited bandwidth, power capacity, and/or transmission range, among other examples. RedCap UEs may support healthcare environments, building automation, electrical distribution, process automation, transport and logistics, and/or smart city deployments, among other examples.

In some examples, two or more UEs120(for example, shown as UE120aand UE120e) may communicate directly with one another using sidelink communications (for example, without communicating by way of a network node110as an intermediary). As an example, the UE120amay directly transmit data, control information, or other signaling as a sidelink communication to the UE120e. This is in contrast to, for example, the UE120afirst transmitting data in an UL communication to a network node110, which then transmits the data to the UE120ein a DL communication. In various examples, the UEs120may transmit and receive sidelink communications using peer-to-peer (P2P) communication protocols, device-to-device (D2D) communication protocols, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication protocols (which may include vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) protocols, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) protocols, and/or vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) protocols), and/or mesh network communication protocols. In some deployments and configurations, a network node110may schedule and/or allocate resources for sidelink communications between UEs120in the wireless communication network100. In some other deployments and configurations, a UE120(instead of a network node110) may perform, or collaborate or negotiate with one or more other UEs to perform, scheduling operations, resource selection operations, and/or other operations for sidelink communications.

In various examples, some of the network nodes110and the UEs120of the wireless communication network100may be configured for full-duplex operation in addition to half-duplex operation. A network node110or a UE120operating in a half-duplex mode may perform only one of transmission or reception during particular time resources, such as during particular slots, symbols, or other time periods. Half-duplex operation may involve time-division duplexing (TDD), in which DL transmissions of the network node110and UL transmissions of the UE120do not occur in the same time resources (that is, the transmissions do not overlap in time). In contrast, a network node110or a UE120operating in a full-duplex mode can transmit and receive communications concurrently (for example, in the same time resources). By operating in a full-duplex mode, network nodes110and/or UEs120may generally increase the capacity of the network and the radio access link. In some examples, full-duplex operation may involve frequency-division duplexing (FDD), in which DL transmissions of the network node110are performed in a first frequency band or on a first component carrier and transmissions of the UE120are performed in a second frequency band or on a second component carrier different than the first frequency band or the first component carrier, respectively. In some examples, full-duplex operation may be enabled for a UE120but not for a network node110. For example, a UE120may simultaneously transmit an UL transmission to a first network node110and receive a DL transmission from a second network node110in the same time resources. In some other examples, full-duplex operation may be enabled for a network node110but not for a UE120. For example, a network node110may simultaneously transmit a DL transmission to a first UE120and receive an UL transmission from a second UE120in the same time resources. In some other examples, full-duplex operation may be enabled for both a network node110and a UE120.

In some examples, the UEs120and the network nodes110may perform MIMO communication. “MIMO” generally refers to transmitting or receiving multiple signals (such as multiple layers or multiple data streams) simultaneously over the same time and frequency resources. MIMO techniques generally exploit multipath propagation. MIMO may be implemented using various spatial processing or spatial multiplexing operations. In some examples, MIMO may support simultaneous transmission to multiple receivers, referred to as multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO). Some RATs may employ advanced MIMO techniques, such as mTRP operation (including redundant transmission or reception on multiple TRPs), reciprocity in the time domain or the frequency domain, single-frequency-network (SFN) transmission, or non-coherent joint transmission (NC-JT).

In some aspects, the UE120may include a communication manager140. As described in more detail elsewhere herein, the communication manager140may transmit capability information indicating one or more capabilities relating to selection of a labeling configuration that indicates labels for symbols of a modulation constellation; receive an indication of the labeling configuration in accordance with the capability information; and perform a communication in accordance with the labeling configuration. Additionally, or alternatively, the communication manager140may perform one or more other operations described herein.

In some aspects, the network node110may include a communication manager150. As described in more detail elsewhere herein, the communication manager150may receive capability information indicating one or more capabilities relating to selection of a labeling configuration that indicates labels for symbols of a modulation constellation; transmit an indication of the labeling configuration in accordance with the capability information; and perform a communication in accordance with the labeling configuration. Additionally, or alternatively, the communication manager150may perform one or more other operations described herein.

FIG.2is a diagram illustrating an example network node110in communication with an example UE120in a wireless network in accordance with the present disclosure.

As shown inFIG.2, the network node110may include a data source212, a transmit processor214, a transmit (TX) MIMO processor216, a set of modems232(shown as232athrough232t, where t≥1), a set of antennas234(shown as234athrough234v, where v≥1), a MIMO detector236, a receive processor238, a data sink239, a controller/processor240, a memory242, a communication unit244, a scheduler246, and/or a communication manager150, among other examples. In some configurations, one or a combination of the antenna(s)234, the modem(s)232, the MIMO detector236, the receive processor238, the transmit processor214, and/or the TX MIMO processor216may be included in a transceiver of the network node110. The transceiver may be under control of and used by one or more processors, such as the controller/processor240, and in some aspects in conjunction with processor-readable code stored in the memory242, to perform aspects of the methods, processes, and/or operations described herein. In some aspects, the network node110may include one or more interfaces, communication components, and/or other components that facilitate communication with the UE120or another network node.

The terms “processor,” “controller,” or “controller/processor” may refer to one or more controllers and/or one or more processors. For example, reference to “a/the processor,” “a/the controller/processor,” or the like (in the singular) should be understood to refer to any one or more of the processors described in connection withFIG.2, such as a single processor or a combination of multiple different processors. Reference to “one or more processors” should be understood to refer to any one or more of the processors described in connection withFIG.2. For example, one or more processors of the network node110may include transmit processor214, TX MIMO processor216, MIMO detector236, receive processor238, and/or controller/processor240. Similarly, one or more processors of the UE120may include MIMO detector256, receive processor258, transmit processor264, TX MIMO processor266, and/or controller/processor280.

For downlink communication from the network node110to the UE120, the transmit processor214may receive data (“downlink data”) intended for the UE120(or a set of UEs that includes the UE120) from the data source212(such as a data pipeline or a data queue). In some examples, the transmit processor214may select one or more MCSs for the UE120in accordance with one or more channel quality indicators (CQIs) received from the UE120. The network node110may process the data (for example, including encoding the data) for transmission to the UE120on a downlink in accordance with the MCS(s) selected for the UE120to generate data symbols. The transmit processor214may process system information (for example, semi-static resource partitioning information (SRPI)) and/or control information (for example, CQI requests, grants, and/or upper layer signaling) and provide overhead symbols and/or control symbols. The transmit processor214may generate reference symbols for reference signals (for example, a cell-specific reference signal (CRS), a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), or a channel state information (CSI) reference signal (CSI-RS)) and/or synchronization signals (for example, a primary synchronization signal (PSS) or a secondary synchronization signals (SSS)).

The TX MIMO processor216may perform spatial processing (for example, precoding) on the data symbols, the control symbols, the overhead symbols, and/or the reference symbols, if applicable, and may provide a set of output symbol streams (for example, T output symbol streams) to the set of modems232. For example, each output symbol stream may be provided to a respective modulator component (shown as MOD) of a modem232. Each modem232may use the respective modulator component to process (for example, to modulate) a respective output symbol stream (for example, for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)) to obtain an output sample stream. Each modem232may further use the respective modulator component to process (for example, convert to analog, amplify, filter, and/or upconvert) the output sample stream to obtain a time domain downlink signal. The modems232athrough232tmay together transmit a set of downlink signals (for example, T downlink signals) via the corresponding set of antennas234.

A downlink signal may include a DCI communication, a MAC control element (MAC-CE) communication, an RRC communication, a downlink reference signal, or another type of downlink communication. Downlink signals may be transmitted on a PDCCH, a PDSCH, and/or on another downlink channel. A downlink signal may carry one or more transport blocks (TBs) of data. A TB may be a unit of data that is transmitted over an air interface in the wireless communication network100. A data stream (for example, from the data source212) may be encoded into multiple TBs for transmission over the air interface. The quantity of TBs used to carry the data associated with a particular data stream may be associated with a TB size common to the multiple TBs. The TB size may be based on or otherwise associated with radio channel conditions of the air interface, the MCS used for encoding the data, the downlink resources allocated for transmitting the data, and/or another parameter. In general, the larger the TB size, the greater the amount of data that can be transmitted in a single transmission, which reduces signaling overhead. However, larger TB sizes may be more prone to transmission and/or reception errors than smaller TB sizes, but such errors may be mitigated by more robust error correction techniques.

For uplink communication from the UE120to the network node110, uplink signals from the UE120may be received by an antenna234, may be processed by a modem232(for example, a demodulator component, shown as DEMOD, of a modem232), may be detected by the MIMO detector236(for example, a receive (Rx) MIMO processor) if applicable, and/or may be further processed by the receive processor238to obtain decoded data and/or control information. The receive processor238may provide the decoded data to a data sink239(which may be a data pipeline, a data queue, and/or another type of data sink) and provide the decoded control information to a processor, such as the controller/processor240.

The network node110may use the scheduler246to schedule one or more UEs120for downlink or uplink communications. In some aspects, the scheduler246may use DCI to dynamically schedule DL transmissions to the UE120and/or UL transmissions from the UE120. In some examples, the scheduler246may allocate recurring time domain resources and/or frequency domain resources that the UE120may use to transmit and/or receive communications using an RRC configuration (for example, a semi-static configuration), for example, to perform semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) or to configure a configured grant (CG) for the UE120.

One or more of the transmit processor214, the TX MIMO processor216, the modem232, the antenna234, the MIMO detector236, the receive processor238, and/or the controller/processor240may be included in an RF chain of the network node110. An RF chain may include one or more filters, mixers, oscillators, amplifiers, analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), and/or other devices that convert between an analog signal (such as for transmission or reception via an air interface) and a digital signal (such as for processing by one or more processors of the network node110). In some aspects, the RF chain may be or may be included in a transceiver of the network node110.

In some examples, the network node110may use the communication unit244to communicate with a core network and/or with other network nodes. The communication unit244may support wired and/or wireless communication protocols and/or connections, such as Ethernet, optical fiber, common public radio interface (CPRI), and/or a wired or wireless backhaul, among other examples. The network node110may use the communication unit244to transmit and/or receive data associated with the UE120or to perform network control signaling, among other examples. The communication unit244may include a transceiver and/or an interface, such as a network interface.

The UE120may include a set of antennas252(shown as antennas252athrough252r, where r≥1), a set of modems254(shown as modems254athrough254u, where u≥1), a MIMO detector256, a receive processor258, a data sink260, a data source262, a transmit processor264, a TX MIMO processor266, a controller/processor280, a memory282, and/or a communication manager140, among other examples. One or more of the components of the UE120may be included in a housing284. In some aspects, one or a combination of the antenna(s)252, the modem(s)254, the MIMO detector256, the receive processor258, the transmit processor264, or the TX MIMO processor266may be included in a transceiver that is included in the UE120. The transceiver may be under control of and used by one or more processors, such as the controller/processor280, and in some aspects in conjunction with processor-readable code stored in the memory282, to perform aspects of the methods, processes, or operations described herein. In some aspects, the UE120may include another interface, another communication component, and/or another component that facilitates communication with the network node110and/or another UE120.

For downlink communication from the network node110to the UE120, the set of antennas252may receive the downlink communications or signals from the network node110and may provide a set of received downlink signals (for example, R received signals) to the set of modems254. For example, each received signal may be provided to a respective demodulator component (shown as DEMOD) of a modem254. Each modem254may use the respective demodulator component to condition (for example, filter, amplify, downconvert, and/or digitize) a received signal to obtain input samples. Each modem254may use the respective demodulator component to further demodulate or process the input samples (for example, for OFDM) to obtain received symbols. The MIMO detector256may obtain received symbols from the set of modems254, may perform MIMO detection on the received symbols if applicable, and may provide detected symbols. The receive processor258may process (for example, decode) the detected symbols, may provide decoded data for the UE120to the data sink260(which may include a data pipeline, a data queue, and/or an application executed on the UE120), and may provide decoded control information and system information to the controller/processor280.

For uplink communication from the UE120to the network node110, the transmit processor264may receive and process data (“uplink data”) from a data source262(such as a data pipeline, a data queue, and/or an application executed on the UE120) and control information from the controller/processor280. The control information may include one or more parameters, feedback, one or more signal measurements, and/or other types of control information. In some aspects, the receive processor258and/or the controller/processor280may determine, for a received signal (such as received from the network node110or another UE), one or more parameters relating to transmission of the uplink communication. The one or more parameters may include a reference signal received power (RSRP) parameter, a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) parameter, a reference signal received quality (RSRQ) parameter, a CQI parameter, or a transmit power control (TPC) parameter, among other examples. The control information may include an indication of the RSRP parameter, the RSSI parameter, the RSRQ parameter, the CQI parameter, the TPC parameter, and/or another parameter. The control information may facilitate parameter selection and/or scheduling for the UE120by the network node110.

The transmit processor264may generate reference symbols for one or more reference signals, such as an uplink DMRS, an uplink sounding reference signal (SRS), and/or another type of reference signal. The symbols from the transmit processor264may be precoded by the TX MIMO processor266, if applicable, and further processed by the set of modems254(for example, for DFT-s-OFDM or CP-OFDM). The TX MIMO processor266may perform spatial processing (for example, precoding) on the data symbols, the control symbols, the overhead symbols, and/or the reference symbols, if applicable, and may provide a set of output symbol streams (for example, U output symbol streams) to the set of modems254. For example, each output symbol stream may be provided to a respective modulator component (shown as MOD) of a modem254. Each modem254may use the respective modulator component to process (for example, to modulate) a respective output symbol stream (for example, for OFDM) to obtain an output sample stream. Each modem254may further use the respective modulator component to process (for example, convert to analog, amplify, filter, and/or upconvert) the output sample stream to obtain an uplink signal.

The modems254athrough254umay transmit a set of uplink signals (for example, R uplink signals or U uplink symbols) via the corresponding set of antennas252. An uplink signal may include a UCI communication, a MAC-CE communication, an RRC communication, or another type of uplink communication. Uplink signals may be transmitted on a PUSCH, a PUCCH, and/or another type of uplink channel. An uplink signal may carry one or more TBs of data. Sidelink data and control transmissions (that is, transmissions directly between two or more UEs120) may generally use similar techniques as were described for uplink data and control transmission, and may use sidelink-specific channels such as a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH), a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH), and/or a physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH).

One or more antennas of the set of antennas252or the set of antennas234may include, or may be included within, one or more antenna panels, one or more antenna groups, one or more sets of antenna elements, or one or more antenna arrays, among other examples. An antenna panel, an antenna group, a set of antenna elements, or an antenna array may include one or more antenna elements (within a single housing or multiple housings), a set of coplanar antenna elements, a set of non-coplanar antenna elements, or one or more antenna elements coupled with one or more transmission or reception components, such as one or more components ofFIG.2. As used herein, “antenna” can refer to one or more antennas, one or more antenna panels, one or more antenna groups, one or more sets of antenna elements, or one or more antenna arrays. “Antenna panel” can refer to a group of antennas (such as antenna elements) arranged in an array or panel, which may facilitate beamforming by manipulating parameters of the group of antennas. “Antenna module” may refer to circuitry including one or more antennas, which may also include one or more other components (such as filters, amplifiers, or processors) associated with integrating the antenna module into a wireless communication device.

In some examples, each of the antenna elements of an antenna234or an antenna252may include one or more sub-elements for radiating or receiving radio frequency signals. For example, a single antenna element may include a first sub-element cross-polarized with a second sub-element that can be used to independently transmit cross-polarized signals. The antenna elements may include patch antennas, dipole antennas, and/or other types of antennas arranged in a linear pattern, a two-dimensional pattern, or another pattern. A spacing between antenna elements may be such that signals with a desired wavelength transmitted separately by the antenna elements may interact or interfere constructively and destructively along various directions (such as to form a desired beam). For example, given an expected range of wavelengths or frequencies, the spacing may provide a quarter wavelength, a half wavelength, or another fraction of a wavelength of spacing between neighboring antenna elements to allow for the desired constructive and destructive interference patterns of signals transmitted by the separate antenna elements within that expected range.

The amplitudes and/or phases of signals transmitted via antenna elements and/or sub-elements may be modulated and shifted relative to each other (such as by manipulating phase shift, phase offset, and/or amplitude) to generate one or more beams, which is referred to as beamforming. The term “beam” may refer to a directional transmission of a wireless signal toward a receiving device or otherwise in a desired direction. “Beam” may also generally refer to a direction associated with such a directional signal transmission, a set of directional resources associated with the signal transmission (for example, an angle of arrival, a horizontal direction, and/or a vertical direction), and/or a set of parameters that indicate one or more aspects of a directional signal, a direction associated with the signal, and/or a set of directional resources associated with the signal. In some implementations, antenna elements may be individually selected or deselected for directional transmission of a signal (or signals) by controlling amplitudes of one or more corresponding amplifiers and/or phases of the signal(s) to form one or more beams. The shape of a beam (such as the amplitude, width, and/or presence of side lobes) and/or the direction of a beam (such as an angle of the beam relative to a surface of an antenna array) can be dynamically controlled by modifying the phase shifts, phase offsets, and/or amplitudes of the multiple signals relative to each other.

Different UEs120or network nodes110may include different numbers of antenna elements. For example, a UE120may include a single antenna element, two antenna elements, four antenna elements, eight antenna elements, or a different number of antenna elements. As another example, a network node110may include eight antenna elements,24antenna elements,64antenna elements,128antenna elements, or a different number of antenna elements. Generally, a larger number of antenna elements may provide increased control over parameters for beam generation relative to a smaller number of antenna elements, whereas a smaller number of antenna elements may be less complex to implement and may use less power than a larger number of antenna elements. Multiple antenna elements may support multiple-layer transmission, in which a first layer of a communication (which may include a first data stream) and a second layer of a communication (which may include a second data stream) are transmitted using the same time and frequency resources with spatial multiplexing.

FIG.3is a diagram illustrating an example disaggregated base station architecture300in accordance with the present disclosure. One or more components of the example disaggregated base station architecture300may be, may include, or may be included in one or more network nodes (such one or more network nodes110). The disaggregated base station architecture300may include a CU310that can communicate directly with a core network320via a backhaul link, or that can communicate indirectly with the core network320via one or more disaggregated control units, such as a Non-RT RIC350associated with a Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) Framework360and/or a Near-RT RIC370(for example, via an E2 link). The CU310may communicate with one or more DUs330via respective midhaul links, such as via F1 interfaces. Each of the DUs330may communicate with one or more RUs340via respective fronthaul links. Each of the RUs340may communicate with one or more UEs120via respective RF access links. In some deployments, a UE120may be simultaneously served by multiple RUs340.

Each of the components of the disaggregated base station architecture300, including the CUs310, the DUs330, the RUs340, the Near-RT RICs370, the Non-RT RICs350, and the SMO Framework360, may include one or more interfaces or may be coupled with one or more interfaces for receiving or transmitting signals, such as data or information, via a wired or wireless transmission medium.

In some aspects, the CU310may be logically split into one or more CU-UP units and one or more CU-CP units. A CU-UP unit may communicate bidirectionally with a CU-CP unit via an interface, such as the E1 interface when implemented in an O-RAN configuration. The CU310may be deployed to communicate with one or more DUs330, as necessary, for network control and signaling. Each DU330may correspond to a logical unit that includes one or more base station functions to control the operation of one or more RUs340. For example, a DU330may host various layers, such as an RLC layer, a MAC layer, or one or more PHY layers, such as one or more high PHY layers or one or more low PHY layers. Each layer (which also may be referred to as a module) may be implemented with an interface for communicating signals with other layers (and modules) hosted by the DU330, or for communicating signals with the control functions hosted by the CU310. Each RU340may implement lower layer functionality. In some aspects, real-time and non-real-time aspects of control and user plane communication with the RU(s)340may be controlled by the corresponding DU330.

The SMO Framework360may support RAN deployment and provisioning of non-virtualized and virtualized network elements. For non-virtualized network elements, the SMO Framework360may support the deployment of dedicated physical resources for RAN coverage requirements, which may be managed via an operations and maintenance interface, such as an O1 interface. For virtualized network elements, the SMO Framework360may interact with a cloud computing platform (such as an open cloud (O-Cloud) platform390) to perform network element life cycle management (such as to instantiate virtualized network elements) via a cloud computing platform interface, such as an O2 interface. A virtualized network element may include, but is not limited to, a CU310, a DU330, an RU340, a non-RT RIC350, and/or a Near-RT RIC370. In some aspects, the SMO Framework360may communicate with a hardware aspect of a 4G RAN, a 5G NR RAN, and/or a 6G RAN, such as an open eNB (O-eNB)380, via an O1 interface. Additionally or alternatively, the SMO Framework360may communicate directly with each of one or more RUs340via a respective O1 interface. In some deployments, this configuration can enable each DU330and the CU310to be implemented in a cloud-based RAN architecture, such as a vRAN architecture.

The Non-RT RIC350may include or may implement a logical function that enables non-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources, artificial intelligence and/or machine learning (AI/ML) workflows including model training and updates, and/or policy-based guidance of applications and/or features in the Near-RT RIC370. The Non-RT RIC350may be coupled to or may communicate with (such as via an A1 interface) the Near-RT RIC370. The Near-RT RIC370may include or may implement a logical function that enables near-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources via data collection and actions via an interface (such as via an E2 interface) connecting one or more CUs310, one or more DUs330, and/or an O-eNB with the Near-RT RIC370.

In some aspects, to generate AI/ML models to be deployed in the Near-RT RIC370, the Non-RT RIC350may receive parameters or external enrichment information from external servers. Such information may be utilized by the Near-RT RIC370and may be received at the SMO Framework360or the Non-RT RIC350from non-network data sources or from network functions. In some examples, the Non-RT RIC350or the Near-RT RIC370may tune RAN behavior or performance. For example, the Non-RT RIC350may monitor long-term trends and patterns for performance and may employ AI/ML models to perform corrective actions via the SMO Framework360(such as reconfiguration via an O1 interface) or via creation of RAN management policies (such as A1 interface policies).

The network node110, the controller/processor240of the network node110, the UE120, the controller/processor280of the UE120, the CU310, the DU330, the RU340, or any other component(s) ofFIGS.1,2, or3may implement one or more techniques or perform one or more operations associated with labeling of modulation constellations, as described in more detail elsewhere herein. For example, the controller/processor240of the network node110, the controller/processor280of the UE120, any other component(s) ofFIG.2, the CU310, the DU330, or the RU340may perform or direct operations of, for example, process700ofFIG.7, process800ofFIG.8, or other processes as described herein (alone or in conjunction with one or more other processors). The memory242may store data and program codes for the network node110, the network node110, the CU310, the DU330, or the RU340. The memory282may store data and program codes for the UE120. In some examples, the memory242or the memory282may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions (for example, code or program code) for wireless communication.

The memory242may include one or more memories, such as a single memory or multiple different memories (of the same type or of different types). The memory282may include one or more memories, such as a single memory or multiple different memories (of the same type or of different types). For example, the set of instructions, when executed (for example, directly, or after compiling, converting, or interpreting) by one or more processors of the network node110, the UE120, the CU310, the DU330, or the RU340, may cause the one or more processors to perform process700ofFIG.7, process800ofFIG.8, or other processes as described herein. In some examples, executing instructions may include running the instructions, converting the instructions, compiling the instructions, and/or interpreting the instructions, among other examples.

In some aspects, the UE120includes means for transmitting capability information indicating one or more capabilities relating to selection of a labeling configuration that indicates labels for symbols of a modulation constellation; means for receiving an indication of the labeling configuration in accordance with the capability information; and/or means for performing a communication in accordance with the labeling configuration. The means for the UE120to perform operations described herein may include, for example, one or more of communication manager140, antenna252, modem254, MIMO detector256, receive processor258, transmit processor264, TX MIMO processor266, controller/processor280, or memory282.

In some aspects, the network node110includes means for receiving capability information indicating one or more capabilities relating to selection of a labeling configuration that indicates labels for symbols of a modulation constellation; means for transmitting an indication of the labeling configuration in accordance with the capability information; and/or means for performing a communication in accordance with the labeling configuration. The means for the network node110to perform operations described herein may include, for example, one or more of communication manager150, transmit processor214, TX MIMO processor216, modem232, antenna234, MIMO detector236, receive processor238, controller/processor240, memory242, or scheduler246.

FIG.4is a diagram illustrating an example400of channel coding in accordance with the present disclosure. A wireless communication channel may introduce errors in communications due to random noise, interference, device impairments, and other factors. These errors may corrupt such communications at a receiver. Channel coding provides resilience against and correction of such errors. Channel coding includes an encoding operation by an encoder410at a transmitter420(which may be a wireless communication device such as a UE120or a network node110) and a decoding operation by a decoder430at a receiver440(which may be a wireless communication device such as a UE120or a network node110). The encoder410may include one or more components ofFIG.2, such as one or more processors and/or one or more memories. The decoder430may include one or more components ofFIG.2, such as one or more processors and/or one or more memories.

One type of channel code is a polar code. Polar coding involves channel combining and channel splitting. At the transmitter420, channel combining maps combinations of bits or symbols to specific channels. The channel splitting may include an implicit transformation operation (analogous to frequency domain to time domain conversion as performed by an inverse Fast Fourier transform (IFFT) operation), translating these bit/symbol combinations into time domain vectors. The decoding operation at the receiver440, in symmetry with the encoding, estimates these time domain bit streams using a successive-cancellation decoding technique, analogous to spectral domain estimation.

Polar coding, including channel splitting and successive-cancellation decoding, converts a block of bits, and their associated channels between the encoder410and decoder430, into a polarized bit stream at the receiver440. That is, a received bit and its associated channel may be associated with either a “good channel” or a “bad channel” pole or category. For example, some of the bits will experience a bit channel with a bit error rate (BER) of 0 (corresponding to a capacity of 100%), whereas others of the bits will experience a bit channel with a BER of 0.5 (corresponding to a capacity of 0%). The proportion of noiseless bit channels converges (for N that is large enough) to the channel capacity (e.g., Shannon capacity). Given a channel with a channel capacity, the indexes of the N bit channels can be sorted. To transmit using a rate R, a transmitter420may transmit data in a best K bit channels, where K/N=R, and where a best bit channel is defined as a bit channel that has a maximal capacity and/or a minimum BER. In the other N-K bits, the encoder410may insert fixed values known to the decoder (referred to as frozen bits). The input and output of a polar encoder may be of the same length. Thus, polar codes are a capacity-achieving and practical channel code.

FIG.5is a diagram illustrating an example of a modulation constellation500that uses Gray labeling for polar coding in accordance with the present disclosure. Modulation constellation500may be used for bit-interleaved-coded modulation (BICM) as described herein. Modulation constellation500has a horizontal axis representing an in-phase (e.g., real) component and a vertical axis representing a quadrature (e.g., imaginary) component.

Polar coding can support higher-order modulation. For example, BICM or multi-level coding (MLC) may enable higher-order modulation using polar coding. In MLC, m outer codes GN/mcorrespond to m bits in a modulation constellation. Each outer code GN/m,imay be connected to an ith bit in the modulation constellation. MLC may be considered an optimal modulation scheme. MLC may be compatible with set partitioning labeling, which may maximize a Euclidian distance between points of the modulation constellation. MLC may be associated with a higher complexity than BICM due to MLC having a recursive demapping process. For example, decoding a communication encoded using MLC may involve generating log likelihood ratios for each outer code, given previously decoded bits, which increases complexity. In BICM, a single code GNis used to encode and perform modulation for a communication. An output of an encoder410may be used for all bits of the modulation constellation500. BICM may be compatible with Gray labeling of the modulation constellation500, and may be associated with a lower complexity of implementation than MLC.

Gray labeling involves labeling points of a modulation constellation500. A modulation constellation500may include a number of points, each point corresponding to a modulation symbol (where a modulation symbol has a given amplitude and phase (amplitude/phase) combination and each modulation symbol of the modulation constellation500has a different amplitude/phase combination). Each point/modulation symbol is mapped to a bit combination (e.g., a bit tuple). The number of bits in a bit tuple may be defined by a modulation scheme. For example, quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) may use 2 bits per tuple, such that 22=4 modulation symbols are possible. Modulation constellation500includes 24=16 points corresponding to 16 modulation symbols, which may support 16 quadrature amplitude modulation (16-QAM). The bit tuple for each modulation symbol is shown in connection with each modulation symbol. For example, a point510is associated with a bit tuple515. The assignment of bit tuples to points of a modulation constellation500is referred to as labeling the modulation constellation500or the points of the modulation constellation500. For example, the modulation constellation500may have a labeling configuration that identifies the assignment of the bit tuples to the points.

One type of labeling configuration is a Gray labeling configuration. In a Gray labeling configuration (for binary labeling), a difference between the bit tuples of each adjacent pair of points (modulation symbols) is a single bit value (e.g., only one bit value). As shown, points520a,520b,520c,520dthat are adjacent to point510have a difference of a single bit value (indicated by labeling on the arrows between point510and the points520). This property holds for each adjacent pair of points in the modulation constellation500. Two points may be considered adjacent if the two points are located at a same position on only one of the in-phase axis or the quadrature axis, and if there are no points in between the two points. As another example, two points may be considered adjacent if a Euclidean distance between the two points is equal to a smallest distance between any two points of the constellation. The above description focuses on binary labeling, but Gray labeling can also be applied in non-binary labeling. Techniques described herein are not limited to those involving binary labeling.

Modulation constellation500is one example of a Gray labeling configuration. There are typically multiple different Gray labeling configurations that can be applied for a given modulation constellation. Different Gray labeling configurations may be associated with differences in performance of communications modulated according to the different Gray labeling configurations. For example, a potential performance difference (such as a potential performance gain) may increase as a size (such as a number of bits or a number of points) of the modulation constellation increases.

In some cases, a baseline Gray labeling configuration may be used. In some examples, the baseline Gray labeling configuration may be a Cartesian product of a single-dimension Gray labeling of rows and columns of a constellation, or may be defined using a recursive mirror algorithm. The baseline Gray labeling configuration may be desirable because the baseline Gray labeling configuration may provide low-complexity log likelihood ratio generation. However, other Gray labeling configurations may provide higher performance for other metrics. For example, in the context of polar coding, frozen bits are (in part) a function of labeling of the modulation constellation500. Thus, frozen bits may be chosen using the labels of the modulation constellation500. Because of this, some Gray labeling configurations may provide better performance with regard to one or more metrics than a baseline Gray labeling configuration. For example, a Gray labeling configuration may provide a reduced block error rate (BLER) relative to another Gray labeling configuration (such as a baseline Gray labeling configuration) for a given set of frozen bits. In this example, an optimal Gray labeling configuration may be selected according to the expression

or the expression

As another example, a Gray labeling configuration may provide increased mutual information (MI) relative to another Gray labeling configuration (such as a baseline Gray labeling configuration) for a given set of frozen bits. In this example, an optimal Gray labeling configuration may be selected according to the expression argmax

or the expression

As described, it may be beneficial to use different labeling configurations (such as different Gray labeling configurations) in different scenarios. For example, a first labeling configuration may be preferable for a first modulation order (such as while using polar coding) and a second labeling configuration may be preferable for a second modulation order. As another example, a first labeling configuration may be preferable in a first set of channel conditions and a second labeling configuration may be preferable in a second set of channel conditions. However, some UEs (such as legacy UEs) may not support use of different labeling configurations for a given modulation constellation, whereas other UEs may support use of different labeling configurations for the given modulation constellation. Furthermore, some UEs may have different processing capabilities or timelines for using or changing a given labeling configuration. If a network node configures labeling configuration usage without taking into account such differences, capabilities of different UEs may be sub-optimally utilized, leading to decreases in throughput, failures of communications and/or failure to realize the potential performance gains of polar coding.

Various aspects relate generally to labeling of modulation constellations. Some aspects more specifically relate to signaling to support selection of labeling configurations of modulation constellations. In some aspects, the UE transmits capability information indicating one or more capabilities relating to selection of a labeling configuration that indicates labels for symbols of a modulation constellation. For example, the one or more capabilities may indicate support for one or more labeling configurations or for changing a labeling configuration. The network node may transmit an indication of a labeling configuration in accordance with the capability information. The UE may perform a communication (such as a polar coded communication using BICM) in accordance with the indication of the labeling configuration. In some aspects, the indication includes the labeling configuration itself or a sorted bit table associated with the labeling configuration. In some aspects, the indication may indicate a difference between a baseline sorted bit table (indicating frozen bits for polar coding) and the sorted bit table associated with the labeling configuration.

Particular aspects of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented to realize one or more of the following potential advantages. In some examples, by providing the indication of the labeling configuration in accordance with the capability information, the described techniques can be used to improve capability utilization of different UEs with regard to labeling configurations, thereby increasing throughput, reducing the occurrence of failures of communications, and improving performance of polar coding. By using the labeling configuration in accordance with the indication, the UE improves support for higher modulation orders by improving the efficiency of polar coding. By configuring the labeling configuration itself (as compared to an index that identifies the labeling configuration), the network node increases flexibility of configuration of the labeling configuration for differing or various channel conditions. By indicating the difference between the baseline sorted bit table and the sorted bit table associated with the labeling configuration, overhead is reduced relative to explicitly configuring the sorted bit table associated with the labeling configuration.

FIG.6is a diagram illustrating an example600of signaling for indication of a labeling configuration for a modulation constellation in accordance with the present disclosure. Example600includes a UE605, such as UE120, and a network node610, such as network node110.

As shown, the UE605may transmit, and the network node610may receive, capability information615. For example, the capability information615may include UE capability information. The capability information615may be transmitted via any suitable form of signaling.

The capability information615may indicate one or more capabilities. The one or more capabilities may relate to selection of a labeling configuration that indicates labels for symbols (sometimes referred to as points or modulation symbols) of a modulation constellation (such as modulation constellation500). For example, the one or more capabilities may indicate whether the605has a capability to handle optimal Gray labeling per modulation constellation. In some aspects, the one or more capabilities may indicate that the UE605supports switching a modulation constellation according to an indication of a labeling configuration. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more capabilities may indicate particular labeling configurations supported by the UE605. Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more capabilities may indicate a number of different labeling configurations that can be configured for the UE605. In some aspects, the one or more capabilities may indicate a granularity for the indication. For example, the one or more capabilities may indicate a minimum length of time (e.g., a slot, a group of slots, a time offset) for which a labeling configuration can be indicated, or may indicate a processing time for the UE605to implement an indication of a labeling configuration.

As shown, the network node610may transmit, and the UE605may receive, an indication620of a labeling configuration in accordance with the capability information615. The network node610may select or generate the labeling configuration. The indication620may be in accordance with the capability information615. For example, the indication620may indicate a labeling configuration supported by the UE605according to the capability information615. As another example, the network node610may transmit the indication620only if the UE605has a capability to handle optimal Gray labeling per modulation constellation according to the capability information615.

In some aspects, the labeling configuration may be a Gray labeling configuration. For example, the labeling configuration may be selected to improve polar coding performance for a given modulation constellation. As another example, the labeling configuration may be selected to improve modulation performance using BICM for polar coding with a given modulation constellation, such as to minimize BLER or maximize MI. In some aspects, the Gray labeling configuration may be selected from a set of Gray labeling configurations. The set of Gray labeling configurations may include a baseline Gray labeling configuration (such as for UEs that do not support switching of labeling configurations) and one or more modified Gray labeling configurations. The one or more modified Gray labeling configurations may be different than one another and may be different than the baseline Gray labeling configuration. In some aspects, the set of Gray labeling configurations may all be associated with a modulation constellation of a same size. For example, the set of Gray labeling configurations may all be associated with a same modulation scheme. While the techniques described herein are primarily described with respect to Gray labeling, these techniques can also be applied for other forms of labeling configurations.

In some aspects, the network node610may transmit the indication620via RRC signaling. In some aspects, the network node610may transmit the indication620via MAC signaling and/or DCI. For example, the network node610may configure multiple options relating to the indication620(such as multiple modulation constellations, multiple sorted bit tables, or multiple differences relative to a baseline sorted bit table) via RRC signaling, and then may indicate a selected option from the multiple options via MAC signaling (such as a MAC control element (MAC CE) or DCI).

In some aspects, the indication620may include an index corresponding to the labeling configuration. For example, the indication620may indicate the labeling configuration from multiple configured labeling configurations. The multiple configured labeling configurations may be configured by the network node610or specified in a wireless communication specification. In some aspects, the indication620or information associated with the indication620may indicate a sorted bit table for the labeling configuration. The sorted bit table may indicate which bits are to be frozen bits for the purpose of encoding or decoding a communication using polar coding. For example, the indication620or the information may include an index corresponding to the sorted bit table (which may be the same as or different than the index that corresponds to the labeling configuration), which may be one of multiple configured sorted bit tables.

In some aspects, the indication620may include the labeling configuration. For example, the indication620may include information that defines the labeling configuration (such as by indicating labels assigned to each of a number of symbols of a modulation constellation). In some aspects, the indication620may also include the sorted bit table. Additionally or alternatively, the indication620may indicate a difference between a baseline sorted bit table and the sorted bit table. For example, the baseline sorted bit table may correspond to a baseline labeling configuration. Indicating the difference between the baseline sorted bit table and the sorted bit table may reduce overhead of the indication, since the difference between these two sorted bit tables may generally be small.

As shown, the UE605and/or the network node610may perform a communication625in accordance with the labeling configuration. The communication625may include a PDSCH transmission, a PUSCH transmission, or another form of transmission. In some aspects, the communication625may use polar encoding. For example, the UE605may perform polar encoding and transmission of the communication625using a symbol corresponding to a bit tuple (indicated by the labeling configuration) of the modulation constellation. As another example, the UE605may perform the polar encoding using the sorted bit table indicated by the indication620or the information associated with the indication620. As another example, the network node610may perform polar decoding of the communication625using a symbol corresponding to a bit tuple (indicated by the labeling configuration) of the modulation constellation. As another example, the network node610may perform the polar decoding using the sorted bit table indicated by the indication620or the information associated with the indication620. As another example, the network node610may perform polar encoding and transmission of the communication625using a symbol corresponding to a bit tuple (indicated by the labeling configuration) of the modulation constellation. As another example, the network node610may perform the polar encoding using the sorted bit table indicated by the indication620or the information associated with the indication620. As another example, the UE605may perform polar decoding of the communication625using a symbol corresponding to a bit tuple (indicated by the labeling configuration) of the modulation constellation. As another example, the UE605may perform the polar decoding using the sorted bit table indicated by the indication620or the information associated with the indication620.

In some aspects, the indication620may apply for a particular communication, such as a particular code block or a particular code block group. A code block is a portion of a transport block, and a code block group may include one or more code blocks. Feedback such as hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback can be transmitted per code block group. Applying the indication620per code block or code block group improves flexibility of the indication620and allows for application of a particular labeling configuration for a particular communication, enabling, for example, usage of a more reliable labeling configuration for a particularly important communication. In some aspects, the indication620may apply for a particular length of time, such as a slot or a group of slots. Applying the indication for a particular length of time may improve flexibility of application of the indication620and improve responsiveness of the UE605and network node610to changing channel conditions, thereby improving wireless communication performance.

FIG.7is a flowchart illustrating an example process700performed, for example, at a UE or an apparatus of a UE that supports labeling for higher-order modulation polar codes in accordance with the present disclosure. Example process700is an example where the apparatus or the UE (for example, UE120) performs operations associated with title.

As shown inFIG.7, in some aspects, process700may include transmitting capability information indicating one or more capabilities relating to selection of a labeling configuration that indicates labels for symbols of a modulation constellation (block710). For example, the apparatus or the UE (such as by using communication manager140or transmission component904, depicted inFIG.9) may transmit capability information indicating one or more capabilities relating to selection of a labeling configuration that indicates labels for symbols of a modulation constellation, as described above.

As further shown inFIG.7, in some aspects, process700may include receiving an indication of the labeling configuration in accordance with the capability information (block720). For example, the apparatus or the UE (such as by using communication manager140or reception component902, depicted inFIG.9) may receive an indication of the labeling configuration in accordance with the capability information, as described above.

As further shown inFIG.7, in some aspects, process700may include performing a communication in accordance with the labeling configuration (block730). For example, the apparatus or the UE (such as by using communication manager140, transmission component904, or reception component902, depicted inFIG.9) may perform a communication in accordance with the labeling configuration, as described above.

Process700may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below or in connection with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

In a first additional aspect, the labeling configuration is a Gray labeling configuration.

In a second additional aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, the Gray labeling configuration is selected from a set of Gray labeling configurations comprising a baseline Gray labeling configuration and a modified Gray labeling configuration different than the baseline Gray labeling configuration.

In a third additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, the baseline Gray labeling configuration is associated with a Cartesian product of a single-dimension Gray labeled constellation.

In a fourth additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through third aspects, performing the communication in accordance with the labeling configuration comprises performing polar decoding or polar encoding using one or more frozen bits associated with the labeling configuration.

In a fifth additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourth aspects, the indication comprises an index corresponding to the labeling configuration, wherein the labeling configuration is one of multiple configured labeling configurations.

In a sixth additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fifth aspects, the indication comprises the labeling configuration.

In a seventh additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through sixth aspects, process700includes receiving information indicating a sorted bit table associated with the labeling configuration.

In an eighth additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through seventh aspects, the information indicating the sorted bit table indicates a difference between a baseline sorted bit table and the sorted bit table.

In a ninth additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through eighth aspects, receiving the indication further comprises receiving the indication via at least one of radio resource control signaling, medium access control signaling, or downlinking control information.

In a tenth additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through ninth aspects, the indication applies for at least one of a code block, a code block group, or a slot.

In an eleventh additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through tenth aspects, the communication comprises at least one of a physical uplink shared channel communication or a physical downlink shared channel communication.

FIG.8is a flowchart illustrating an example process800performed, for example, at a network node or an apparatus of a network node that supports labeling for higher order modulation polar codes in accordance with the present disclosure. Example process800is an example where the apparatus or the network node (for example, network node110) performs operations associated with title.

As shown inFIG.8, in some aspects, process800may include receiving capability information indicating one or more capabilities relating to selection of a labeling configuration that indicates labels for symbols of a modulation constellation (block810). For example, the apparatus or the network node (such as by using communication manager150or reception component1002, depicted inFIG.10) may receive capability information indicating one or more capabilities relating to selection of a labeling configuration that indicates labels for symbols of a modulation constellation, as described above.

As further shown inFIG.8, in some aspects, process800may include transmitting an indication of the labeling configuration in accordance with the capability information (block820). For example, the apparatus or the network node (such as by using communication manager150or indication component1008, depicted inFIG.10) may transmit an indication of the labeling configuration in accordance with the capability information, as described above.

As further shown inFIG.8, in some aspects, process800may include performing a communication in accordance with the labeling configuration (block830). For example, the network node (such as by using communication manager150, transmission component1004, or reception component1002, depicted inFIG.10) may perform a communication in accordance with the labeling configuration, as described above.

In a first additional aspect, the labeling configuration is a Gray labeling configuration.

In a second additional aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, the Gray labeling configuration is selected from a baseline Gray labeling configuration and a modified Gray labeling configuration different from the baseline Gray labeling configuration.

In a third additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, the baseline Gray labeling configuration is based at least in part on a Cartesian product of a single-dimension Gray labeled constellation.

In a fourth additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through third aspects, performing the communication in accordance with the labeling configuration further comprises performing polar decoding or polar encoding using one or more frozen bits associated with the labeling configuration.

In a fifth additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourth aspects, the indication comprises an index corresponding to the labeling configuration.

In a sixth additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fifth aspects, the indication comprises the labeling configuration.

In a seventh additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through sixth aspects, process800includes transmitting information indicating a sorted bit table associated with the labeling configuration.

In an eighth additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through seventh aspects, the information indicating the sorted bit table indicates a difference between a baseline sorted bit table and the sorted bit table.

In a ninth additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through eighth aspects, transmitting the indication further comprises transmitting the indication via at least one of radio resource control signaling, medium access control signaling, or downlinking control information.

In a tenth additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through ninth aspects, the communication comprises at least one of a physical uplink shared channel communication or a physical downlink shared channel communication.

In some aspects, the apparatus900may be configured to and/or operable to perform one or more operations described herein in connection withFIGS.4,5, and6. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus900may be configured to and/or operable to perform one or more processes described herein, such as process700ofFIG.7. In some aspects, the apparatus900may include one or more components of the UE described above in connection withFIG.2.

The reception component902may receive communications, such as reference signals, control information, and/or data communications, from the apparatus906. The reception component902may provide received communications to one or more other components of the apparatus900, such as the communication manager140. In some aspects, the reception component902may perform signal processing on the received communications (such as filtering, amplification, demodulation, analog-to-digital conversion, demultiplexing, deinterleaving, de-mapping, equalization, interference cancellation, or decoding, among other examples), and may provide the processed signals to the one or more other components. In some aspects, the reception component902may include one or more antennas, one or more modems, one or more demodulators, one or more MIMO detectors, one or more receive processors, one or more controllers/processors, and/or one or more memories of the UE described above in connection withFIG.2.

The transmission component904may transmit communications, such as reference signals, control information, and/or data communications, to the apparatus906. In some aspects, the communication manager140may generate communications and may transmit the generated communications to the transmission component904for transmission to the apparatus906. In some aspects, the transmission component904may perform signal processing on the generated communications (such as filtering, amplification, modulation, digital-to-analog conversion, multiplexing, interleaving, mapping, or encoding, among other examples), and may transmit the processed signals to the apparatus906. In some aspects, the transmission component904may include one or more antennas, one or more modems, one or more modulators, one or more transmit MIMO processors, one or more transmit processors, one or more controllers/processors, and/or one or more memories of the UE described above in connection withFIG.2. In some aspects, the transmission component904may be co-located with the reception component902in one or more transceivers.

The communication manager140may transmit or may cause the transmission component904to transmit capability information indicating one or more capabilities relating to selection of a labeling configuration that indicates labels for symbols of a modulation constellation. The communication manager140may receive or may cause the reception component902to receive an indication of the labeling configuration in accordance with the capability information. The communication manager140may perform a communication in accordance with the labeling configuration. In some aspects, the communication manager140may perform one or more operations described elsewhere herein as being performed by one or more components of the communication manager140.

The communication manager140may include one or more controllers/processors and/or one or more memories of the UE described above in connection withFIG.2. In some aspects, the communication manager140includes a set of components, such as a polar coding component908. Alternatively, the set of components may be separate and distinct from the communication manager140. In some aspects, one or more components of the set of components may include or may be implemented within one or more controllers/processors and/or one or more memories of the UE described above in connection withFIG.2. Additionally or alternatively, one or more components of the set of components may be implemented at least in part as software stored in one or more memories. For example, a component (or a portion of a component) may be implemented as instructions or code stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium and executable by one or more controllers or one or more processors to perform the functions or operations of the component.

The transmission component904may transmit capability information indicating one or more capabilities relating to selection of a labeling configuration that indicates labels for symbols of a modulation constellation. The reception component902may receive an indication of the labeling configuration in accordance with the capability information. The transmission component904, the reception component902, or the polar coding component908may perform a communication in accordance with the labeling configuration.

The reception component902may receive information indicating a sorted bit table associated with the labeling configuration.

FIG.10is a diagram of an example apparatus1000for wireless communication that supports labeling for higher order modulation polar codes in accordance with the present disclosure. The apparatus1000may be a network node, or a network node may include the apparatus1000. In some aspects, the apparatus1000includes a reception component1002, a transmission component1004, and a communication manager150, which may be in communication with one another (for example, via one or more buses). As shown, the apparatus1000may communicate with another apparatus1006(such as a UE, a network node, or another wireless communication device) using the reception component1002and the transmission component1004.

In some aspects, the apparatus1000may be configured to and/or operable to perform one or more operations described herein in connection withFIGS.4,5, and/or6. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus1000may be configured to and/or operable to perform one or more processes described herein, such as process800ofFIG.8. In some aspects, the apparatus1000may include one or more components of the network node described above in connection withFIG.2.

The reception component1002may receive communications, such as reference signals, control information, and/or data communications, from the apparatus1006. The reception component1002may provide received communications to one or more other components of the apparatus1000, such as the communication manager150. In some aspects, the reception component1002may perform signal processing on the received communications (such as filtering, amplification, demodulation, analog-to-digital conversion, demultiplexing, deinterleaving, de-mapping, equalization, interference cancellation, or decoding, among other examples), and may provide the processed signals to the one or more other components. In some aspects, the reception component1002may include one or more antennas, one or more modems, one or more demodulators, one or more MIMO detectors, one or more receive processors, one or more controllers/processors, and/or one or more memories of the network node described above in connection withFIG.2.

The transmission component1004may transmit communications, such as reference signals, control information, and/or data communications, to the apparatus1006. In some aspects, the communication manager150may generate communications and may transmit the generated communications to the transmission component1004for transmission to the apparatus1006. In some aspects, the transmission component1004may perform signal processing on the generated communications (such as filtering, amplification, modulation, digital-to-analog conversion, multiplexing, interleaving, mapping, or encoding, among other examples), and may transmit the processed signals to the apparatus1006. In some aspects, the transmission component1004may include one or more antennas, one or more modems, one or more modulators, one or more transmit MIMO processors, one or more transmit processors, one or more controllers/processors, and/or one or more memories of the network node described above in connection withFIG.2. In some aspects, the transmission component1004may be co-located with the reception component1002in one or more transceivers.

The communication manager150may receive or may cause the reception component1002to receive capability information indicating one or more capabilities relating to selection of a labeling configuration that indicates labels for symbols of a modulation constellation. The communication manager150may transmit or may cause the transmission component1004to transmit an indication of the labeling configuration in accordance with the capability information. The communication manager150may perform a communication in accordance with the labeling configuration. In some aspects, the communication manager150may perform one or more operations described elsewhere herein as being performed by one or more components of the communication manager150.

The communication manager150may include one or more controllers/processors, one or more memories, one or more schedulers, and/or one or more communication units of the network node described above in connection withFIG.2. In some aspects, the communication manager150includes a set of components, such as an indication component1008. Alternatively, the set of components may be separate and distinct from the communication manager150. In some aspects, one or more components of the set of components may include or may be implemented within one or more controllers/processors, one or more memories, one or more schedulers, and/or one or more communication units of the network node described above in connection withFIG.2. Additionally or alternatively, one or more components of the set of components may be implemented at least in part as software stored in one or more memories. For example, a component (or a portion of a component) may be implemented as instructions or code stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium and executable by one or more controllers or one or more processors to perform the functions or operations of the component.

The reception component1002may receive capability information indicating one or more capabilities relating to selection of a labeling configuration that indicates labels for symbols of a modulation constellation. The transmission component1004or the indication component1008may transmit an indication of the labeling configuration in accordance with the capability information. The transmission component1004or the reception component1002may perform a communication in accordance with the labeling configuration.

The transmission component1004or the indication component1008may transmit information indicating a sorted bit table associated with the labeling configuration.

Aspect 1: A method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: transmitting capability information indicating one or more capabilities relating to selection of a labeling configuration that indicates labels for symbols of a modulation constellation; receiving an indication of the labeling configuration in accordance with the capability information; and performing a communication in accordance with the labeling configuration.

Aspect 2: The method of Aspect 1, wherein the labeling configuration is a Gray labeling configuration.

Aspect 3: The method of Aspect 2, wherein the Gray labeling configuration is selected from a set of Gray labeling configurations comprising a baseline Gray labeling configuration and a modified Gray labeling configuration different than the baseline Gray labeling configuration.

Aspect 4: The method of Aspect 3, wherein the baseline Gray labeling configuration is associated with a Cartesian product of a single-dimension Gray labeled constellation.

Aspect 5: The method of any of Aspects 1-4, wherein performing the communication in accordance with the labeling configuration comprises performing polar decoding or polar encoding using one or more frozen bits associated with the labeling configuration.

Aspect 6: The method of any of Aspects 1-5, wherein the indication comprises an index corresponding to the labeling configuration, wherein the labeling configuration is one of multiple configured labeling configurations.

Aspect 7: The method of any of Aspects 1-6, wherein the indication comprises the labeling configuration.

Aspect 8: The method of any of Aspects 1-7, further comprising receiving information indicating a sorted bit table associated with the labeling configuration.

Aspect 9: The method of Aspect 8, wherein the information indicating the sorted bit table indicates one or more differences between a baseline sorted bit table and the sorted bit table.

Aspect 10: The method of any of Aspects 1-9, wherein receiving the indication further comprises receiving the indication via at least one of: radio resource control signaling, medium access control signaling, or downlink control information.

Aspect 11: The method of any of Aspects 1-10, wherein at least one of the indication or the labeling configuration applies for at least one of: a code block, a code block group, or a slot.

Aspect 12: The method of any of Aspects 1-11, wherein the communication comprises at least one of a physical uplink shared channel communication or a physical downlink shared channel communication.

Aspect 13: A method of wireless communication performed by a network node, comprising: receiving capability information indicating one or more capabilities relating to selection of a labeling configuration that indicates labels for symbols of a modulation constellation; transmitting an indication of the labeling configuration in accordance with the capability information; and performing a communication in accordance with the labeling configuration.

Aspect 14: The method of Aspect 13, wherein the labeling configuration is a Gray labeling configuration.

Aspect 15: The method of Aspect 14, wherein the Gray labeling configuration is selected from a baseline Gray labeling configuration and a modified Gray labeling configuration different from the baseline Gray labeling configuration.

Aspect 16: The method of Aspect 15, wherein the baseline Gray labeling configuration is based at least in part on a Cartesian product of a single-dimension Gray labeled constellation.

Aspect 17: The method of any of Aspects 13-16, wherein performing the communication in accordance with the labeling configuration further comprises performing polar decoding or polar encoding using one or more frozen bits associated with the labeling configuration.

Aspect 18: The method of any of Aspects 13-17, wherein the indication comprises an index corresponding to the labeling configuration.

Aspect 19: The method of any of Aspects 13-18, wherein the indication comprises the labeling configuration.

Aspect 20: The method of any of Aspects 13-19, further comprising transmitting information indicating a sorted bit table associated with the labeling configuration.

Aspect 21: The method of Aspect 20, wherein the information indicating the sorted bit table indicates one or more differences between a baseline sorted bit table and the sorted bit table.

Aspect 22: The method of any of Aspects 13-21, wherein transmitting the indication further comprises transmitting the indication via at least one of: radio resource control signaling, medium access control signaling, or downlink control information.

Aspect 23: The method of any of Aspects 13-22, wherein the communication comprises at least one of a physical uplink shared channel communication or a physical downlink shared channel communication.

Aspect 26: An apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising at least one means for performing the method of one or more of Aspects 1-23.

As used herein, the term “component” is intended to be broadly construed as hardware or a combination of hardware and at least one of software or firmware. “Software” shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, or functions, among other examples, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise. As used herein, a “processor” is implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and software. It will be apparent that systems or methods described herein may be implemented in different forms of hardware or a combination of hardware and software. The actual specialized control hardware or software code used to implement these systems or methods is not limiting of the aspects. Thus, the operation and behavior of the systems or methods are described herein without reference to specific software code, because those skilled in the art will understand that software and hardware can be designed to implement the systems or methods based, at least in part, on the description herein. A component being configured to perform a function means that the component has a capability to perform the function, and does not require the function to be actually performed by the component, unless noted otherwise.

Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the claims or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of various aspects. Many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims or disclosed in the specification. The disclosure of various aspects includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set.