LIMITED BUFFER RATE MATCHING CALCULATION

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to devices, methods, apparatuses and computer readable storage media of limited buffer rate matching (LBRM) calculation for simultaneous multi-panel transmission. The method comprises: receiving, by a terminal device and from a network device, one or more maximum rank values for at least one BWP of one or more serving cells of the terminal device, wherein the one or more maximum rank values are associated with one or more PUSCH transmission schemes; determining, by the terminal device, based at least on the one or more maximum rank values, a maximum number of layers for LBRM; and determining, by the terminal device, a TBS for LBRM using the maximum number of layers.

FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of telecommunication and in particular to devices, methods, apparatuses and computer readable storage media of limited buffer rate matching (LBRM) calculation for simultaneous multi-panel transmission, especially for the simultaneous multi-panel physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission.

BACKGROUND

Physical layer development has been discussed in 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) New Radio (NR). One of objectives of this discussion focus on facilitating simultaneous uplink transmission for multi-panel UEs (MP-UEs).

SUMMARY

In general, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution of LBRM calculation for simultaneous multi-panel transmission.

In a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive, from a network device, one or more maximum rank values for at least one Bandwidth Part (BWP) of one or more serving cells of the apparatus, wherein the one or more maximum rank values are associated with one or more PUSCH transmission schemes; determine, based at least on the one or more maximum rank values, a maximum number of layers for LBRM and determine a transport block size (TBS) for LBRM using the maximum number of layers.

In a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: transmit, to a terminal device, one or more maximum rank values for at least one BWP of one or more serving cells of the terminal device, wherein the one or more maximum rank values are associated with one or more PUSCH transmission schemes and to be used for the terminal device to determine a maximum number of layers for LBRM.

In a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method comprises: receiving, by a terminal device and from a network device, one or more maximum rank values for at least one BWP of one or more serving cells of the terminal device, wherein the one or more maximum rank values are associated with one or more PUSCH transmission schemes; determining, by the terminal device, based at least on the one or more maximum rank values, a maximum number of layers for LBRM; and determining, by the terminal device, a TBS for LBRM using the maximum number of layers.

In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method comprises: transmitting, by a network device and to a terminal device, one or more maximum rank values for at least one BWP of one or more serving cells of the terminal device, wherein the one or more maximum rank values are associated with one or more PUSCH transmission schemes and to be used for the terminal device to determine a maximum number of layers for LBRM.

In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a network device, one or more maximum rank values for at least one BWP of one or more serving cells of the apparatus, wherein the one or more maximum rank values are associated with one or more PUSCH transmission schemes; means for determining, based at least on the one or more maximum rank values, a maximum number of layers for LBRM; and means for determining a TBS for LBRM using the maximum number of layers.

In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to a terminal device, one or more maximum rank values for at least one BWP of one or more serving cells of the terminal device, wherein the one or more maximum rank values are associated with one or more PUSCH transmission schemes and to be used for the terminal device to determine a maximum number of layers for LBRM.

In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium. The non-transitory computer readable medium comprises program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least: receiving, from a network device, one or more maximum rank values for at least one BWP of one or more serving cells of the apparatus, wherein the one or more maximum rank values are associated with one or more PUSCH transmission schemes; determining, based at least on the one or more maximum rank values, a maximum number of layers for LBRM; and determining a TBS for LBRM using the maximum number of layers.

In an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium. The non-transitory computer readable medium comprises program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least: transmitting, to a terminal device, one or more maximum rank values for at least one BWP of one or more serving cells of the terminal device, wherein the one or more maximum rank values are associated with one or more PUSCH transmission schemes and to be used for the terminal device to determine a maximum number of layers for LBRM.

In a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program. The computer program comprises instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving, from a network device, one or more maximum rank values for at least one BWP of one or more serving cells of the apparatus, wherein the one or more maximum rank values are associated with one or more PUSCH transmission schemes; determining, based at least on the one or more maximum rank values, a maximum number of layers for LBRM; and determining a TBS for LBRM using the maximum number of layers.

In a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program. The computer program comprises instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: transmitting, to a terminal device, one or more maximum rank values for at least one BWP of one or more serving cells of the terminal device, wherein the one or more maximum rank values are associated with one or more PUSCH transmission schemes and to be used for the terminal device to determine a maximum number of layers for LBRM.

Other features and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will also be apparent from the following description of specific embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of embodiments of the disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may represent the same or similar element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, unless stated explicitly, performing a step “in response to A” does not indicate that the step is performed immediately after “A” occurs and one or more intervening steps may be included.

As used herein, the terms “network device”, “radio network device” and/or “radio access network device” refers to a node in a communication network via which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services therefrom. The network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP), for example, a node B (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), an NR NB (also referred to as a gNB), a Remote Radio Unit (RRU), a radio header (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node, a low power node such as a femto, a pico, a non-terrestrial network (NTN) or non-ground network device such as a satellite network device, a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite and a geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) satellite, an aircraft network device, and so forth, depending on the applied terminology and technology. In some example embodiments, low earth orbit (RAN) split architecture includes a Centralized Unit (CU) and a Distributed Unit (DU). In some other example embodiments, part of the radio access network device or full of the radio access network device may embarked on an airborne or space-borne NTN vehicle.

As used herein, the term “resource,” “transmission resource,” “resource block,” “physical resource block” (PRB), “uplink resource,” or “downlink resource” may refer to any resource for performing a communication, for example, a communication between a terminal device and a network device, such as a resource in time domain, a resource in frequency domain, a resource in space domain, a resource in code domain, or any other resource enabling a communication, and the like. In the following, unless explicitly stated, a resource in both frequency domain and time domain will be used as an example of a transmission resource for describing some example embodiments of the present disclosure. It is noted that example embodiments of the present disclosure are equally applicable to other resources in other domains.

As used herein, the term “transmission reception point (TRP)” may refer to an antenna port or an antenna array (with one or more antenna elements) available to the network device located at a specific geographical location. For example, a network device may be coupled with multiple TRPs in different geographical locations to achieve better coverage. Alternatively, or in addition, multiple TRPs may be incorporated into a network device, or in other words, the network device may comprise the multiple TRPs. The term “TRP” may be also referred to as a cell, such as a macro-cell, a small cell, a pico-cell, a femto-cell, a remote radio head, a relay node, etc. It is to be understood that the term “TRP” may refer to a logical concept which may be physically implemented by various manner. For example, a TRP may refer to or correspond to a physical cell identity (PCI) or control resource set (CORESET) Pool Index (i.e., CORESETPoolIndex). In example embodiments of the present disclosure, the term “TRP” can be used interchangeably with the terms “PCI” or “CORESETPoolIndex”. Therefore, example embodiments described with respect to the TRPs can be applied to PCIs or CORESETPoolIndexes.

In some example embodiments of the present disclosure, a PCI may be associated with a TRP in any suitable manner. For example, the PCI associated with the TRP may represent the TRP or correspond to the TRP. For another example, the PCI associated with the TRP may be a PCI of a cell to which the TRP belongs, or a cell within which the TRP is located, or a cell associated with the TRP.

In some example embodiments of the present disclosure, a CORESETPoolIndex may be associated with a TRP in any suitable manner. For example, the CORESETPoolIndex associated with the TRP may be a CORESETPoolIndex of a control resource configured for the TRP.

FIG.1shows an example communication network100in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. As shown inFIG.1, the communication network100may include a terminal device110. Hereinafter the terminal device110may also be referred to as a UE.

The communication network100may further include a network device120. Hereinafter the network device120may also be referred to as a gNB. The terminal device110may communicate with the network device120.

It is to be understood that the number of network devices and terminal devices shown inFIG.1is given for the purpose of illustration without suggesting any limitations. The communication network100may include any suitable number of network devices and terminal devices.

In some example embodiments, links from the network device120to the terminal device110may be referred to as a downlink (DL), while links from the terminal device110to the network device120may be referred to as an uplink (UL). In DL, the network device120is a transmitting (TX) device (or a transmitter) and the terminal device110is a receiving (RX) device (or receiver). In UL, the terminal device110is a TX device (or transmitter) and the network device120is a RX device (or a receiver).

Communications in the communication environment100may be implemented according to any proper communication protocol(s), includes, but not limited to, cellular communication protocols of the first generation (1G), the second generation (2G), the third generation (3G), the fourth generation (4G), the fifth generation (5G), the sixth generation (6G), and the like, wireless local network communication protocols such as Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 and the like, and/or any other protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. Moreover, the communication may utilize any proper wireless communication technology, includes but not limited to: Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), Time Division Duplex (TDD), Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple (OFDM), Discrete Fourier Transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) and/or any other technologies currently known or to be developed in the future.

For 3GPP NR physical layer development, how to facilitate simultaneous uplink transmission for MP-UEs has been discussed. The study of facilitating simultaneous multi-panel UL transmission for higher UL throughput/reliability may focus on frequency range 2 (FR2) and multi-TRP (mTRP).

Furthermore, some agreements are made to discuss different schemes for simultaneous transmission from multiple panels (STxMP). For example, for STxMP PUSCH in single-Downlink Control Information (DCI)-based mTRP system, study and evaluation may focus on the following schemes for PUSCH comprising the Space Division Multiplexing (SDM) scheme, wherein different layers/Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) ports of one PUSCH are separately precoded and transmitted from different UE panels simultaneously; and System Frame Number (SFN)-based transmission scheme, wherein all the same layers/DMRS ports of one PUSCH are transmitted from two different UE panels simultaneously.

For multi-DCI-based STxMP PUSCH plus PUSCH transmission, study and evaluate may focus on two PUSCHs are associated with different TRPs and transmitted from different UE panels and the total number of layers of these two PUSCHs is up to 4.

For dynamic switching between the SDM scheme of single-DCI-based STxMP PUSCH and single TRP (sTRP) transmission, the maximal number of layers for sTRP transmission is configured by a maximum rank or additional maximal numbers of layers for sTRP transmission and maximal number of layers of SDM transmission may be selected from one single maximal number of layers, a maximum rank applied for the first SRS resource set and the second resource set, separate maximal numbers of layers for the first SRS resource set and the second SRS resource set, or determined by the maximal number(s) of layers of sTRP and the UE capability reporting for SDM.

Now the maximum number of layers used for STxMP is under discussion, which may be used for a calculation of the LBRM. The LBRM was defined with a step of determining the maximum number of layers (X), mainly to calculate the maximum Transport block Size (TBS) used to derive the buffer size limitation.

The present disclosure proposed a mechanism about how to calculate LBRM when the UE supports STxMP transmission schemes. In this solution, the network device120transmit to the terminal device110one or more maximum rank values for at least one bandwidth part of one or more serving cells of the terminal device. The terminal device110determines a maximum number of layers for LBRM based on the one or more maximum rank values and determine the TBS for LBRM using the determined maximum number of layers.

Reference is now made toFIG.2, which shows a signaling chart200for communication according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG.2, the signaling chart200involves the terminal device110and the network device120. For the purpose of discussion, reference is made toFIG.1to describe the signaling chart200.

In some scenarios, the terminal device110may be configured or indicated to support STxMP PUSCH transmission scheme. As shown inFIG.2, the network device120may configure (202) one or more maximum rank values for at least one BWP of one or more serving cells of the terminal device110and transmit (204) the one or more maximum rank values to the terminal device110.

In some example embodiments, the one or more maximum rank values for at least one BWP of one or more serving cells of the terminal device110may be configured in the PUSCH configuration.

The terminal device110then determines (206) a max number of layers for the LBRM calculation by considering the the one or more maximum rank values for at least one BWP of one or more serving cells of the terminal device110and one or more PUSCH transmission schemes.

In some example embodiments, the one or more PUSCH transmission schemes may refer to at least one of sTRP PUSCH transmission, S-DCI-based STxMP PUSCH transmission, and M-DCI-based STxMP PUSCH transmission.

In some example embodiments, the sTRP PUSCH transmission may refer further as S-DCI-based sTRP PUSCH transmission mode #1 and S-DCI-based sTRP PUSCH transmission mode #2. The S-DCI-based sTRP PUSCH transmission mode #1 may refer to sTRP PUSCH transmission when dynamic switching between sTRP PUSCH transmission and STxMP PUSCH transmission is not applied, while the S-DCI-based sTRP PUSCH transmission mode #2 may refer to sTRP PUSCH transmission when dynamic switching between sTRP PUSCH transmission and STxMP PUSCH transmission is applied.

In some example embodiments, the S-DCI-based STxMP PUSCH transmission may refer to multi-panel PUSCH transmission, often towards mTRP. Here, there may be more than one S-DCI-based STxMP PUSCH transmission mode, one mode being the SDM mode where different layers of the PUSCH are transmitted via different panels of the UE. Furthermore, the SFN mode may also be supported.

In some example embodiments, the M-DCI-based STxMP PUSCH transmission may refer to full-overlapping/partially-overlapping PUSCH transmissions via multiple panels, where PUSCH transmissions are independently scheduled by separate DCIs, often coming from different TRPs, which may be identified by CORESETPoolIndex or PCI.

More specifically, for determining the max number of layers for the LBRM calculation, the terminal device110may determine a maximum rank for the at least one BWP. Based on at least one maximum rank value of the one or more maximum rank values and/or at least one PUSCH transmission scheme of the one or more PUSCH transmission schemes, the maximum rank for the at least one BWP may be determined by the terminal device110.

In some example embodiments, in addition to a first maximum rank value, if a second maximum rank value is defined/configured for the single TRP PUSCH transmission mode #2, i.e., the first and the second maximum rank values are configured in the PUSCH configuration for at least one BWP of the serving cell, the terminal device110may determine the maximum rank for the at least one BWP of the serving cell as a maximum value among the first maximum rank value and the second maximum rank value, which may be represented as: “max (first max Rank, second max Rank)”.

If the second maximum rank value is defined/configured for the S-DCI-based STxMP PUSCH transmission, the second maximum rank value may be associated with one or both Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) resource sets (e.g., first, second, or both SRS resource sets), the terminal device110may determine the maximum rank for the at least one BWP of the serving cell as a sum of the first maximum rank value and the second maximum rank value if the first maximum rank value is for a first SRS resource set and the second maximum rank value is for a second SRS resource set, which may be represented as: “first max Rank +second max Rank”.

If the second maximum rank value is defined/configured for the S-DCI-based STxMP PUSCH transmission, the second maximum rank value may be associated with one or both SRS resource sets (e.g., first, second, or both SRS resource sets), the terminal device110may determine the maximum rank for the at least one BWP of the serving cell as a maximum value among the first maximum rank value and the second maximum rank value multiplied by 2 if the first maximum rank value is applied for sTRP transmission and the second maximum rank value is applied for both the first and second SRS resource sets, which may be represented as: “max (first maximum rank,2*second maximum rank)”.

Similarly, if the first maximum rank value is defined/configured for the S-DCI-based STxMP PUSCH transmission and the second maximum rank value is defined for the sTRP transmission, the first maximum rank value may be associated with one or both SRS resource sets (e.g., first, second, or both SRS resource sets), the terminal device110may determine the maximum rank for the at least one BWP of the serving cell as a maximum value among the second maximum rank value and the first maximum rank value multiplied by 2 if the second maximum rank value is applied for sTRP transmission and the first maximum rank value is applied for both the first and second SRS resource sets, which may be represented as: “max (2*first maximum rank, second maximum rank)”.

Alternatively, if the second maximum rank value is defined/configured for the M-DCI-based STxMP PUSCH transmission, the second maximum rank value may be associated with one or both CORESETPoolIndexes/PCIs (e.g., 0 or 1/PCIx or PCIy), the terminal device110may determine the maximum rank for the at least one BWP of the serving cell as a sum of the first maximum rank value and the second maximum rank value if the first maximum rank value is for the CORESETPoolIndex=0 (or PCIx) and the second maximum rank value is for the CORESETPoolIndex=1 (or PCIy), which may be represented as: first max Rank+second max Rank”.

If the second maximum rank value is defined/configured for the M-DCI-based STxMP PUSCH transmission, the second maximum rank value may be associated with one or both CORESETPoolIndexes/PCIs (e.g., 0 or 1/PCIx or PCIy), the terminal device110may determine the maximum rank for the at least one BWP of the serving cell as a maximum value among the first maximum rank value and the second maximum rank value multiplied by 2 if the first maximum rank value is for sTRP operation or M-DCI-based non-overlapping PUSCH transmission and the second maximum rank value is for the CORESETPoolIndex=0 or 1 (PCIx or PCIy), which may be represented as: “max (first maximum rank, 2*second maximum rank)”.

Similarly, if the second maximum rank value is defined/configured for the M-DCI-based STxMP PUSCH transmission, the first maximum rank value may be associated with one or both CORESETPoolIndexes/PCIs (e.g., 0 or 1/PCIx or PCIy), the terminal device110may determine the maximum rank for the at least one BWP of the serving cell as a maximum value among the second maximum rank value and the first maximum rank value multiplied by 2 if the second maximum rank value is for sTRP operation or M-DCI-based non-overlapping PUSCH transmission and the first maximum rank value is for the CORESETPoolIndex=0 or 1 (PCIx or PCIy), which may be represented as: “max (2*first maximum rank, second maximum rank)”.

In some example embodiments, in addition to a first maximum rank value, if two other maximum rank values, i.e., a second maximum rank value and a third maximum rank value are defined/configured for the sTRP PUSCH transmission mode #2and/or S-DCI-based STxMP PUSCH transmission, respectively, the first, the second and the third maximum rank values may be associated with one or both SRS resource sets (e.g., first, second, or both SRS resource sets), the terminal device110may determine the maximum rank for the at least one BWP of the serving cell as a maximum value among the first maximum rank value and a sum of the second maximum rank value and the third maximum rank value, if the second maximum rank value is for a first SRS resource set and the third maximum rank value is for a second SRS resource set, which may be represented as: “max (first max Rank, second max Rank +third max Rank)”.

In this case, if the first maximum rank value is for a first SRS resource set and the third maximum rank value is for a second SRS resource set, the terminal device110may determine the maximum rank for the at least one BWP of the serving cell as a maximum value among the second maximum rank value and a sum of the first maximum rank value and the third maximum rank value, which may be represented as: “max (second max Rank, primary +third max Rank)”.

Still in this case, if the third maximum rank value is for both the first SRS resource set and second SRS resource set and the second maximum rank value is for the sTRP PUSCH transmission mode #2, the terminal device110may determine the maximum rank for the at least one BWP of the serving cell as a maximum value among the first maximum rank value, the second maximum rank value and the third maximum rank value multiplied by 2, which may be represented as: “max (first max Rank, second max Rank, 2*third max Rank)”.

In some example embodiments, in addition to a first maximum rank value, if two other maximum rank values, i.e., a second maximum rank value and a third maximum rank value are defined/configured for the M-DCI-based STxMP PUSCH transmission, the second and third maximum rank values may be associated with different CORESETPoolIndexes/PCIs (e.g., 0 or 1/PCIx or PCIy), the terminal device110may determine the maximum rank for the at least one BWP of the serving cell as a maximum value among the first maximum rank value, the second maximum rank value and the third maximum rank value, if the second maximum rank value is for the CORESETPoolIndex=0 (or PCIx) and the third maximum rank value is for the CORESETPoolIndex=1 (or PCIy), which may be represented as: “max (first max Rank, second max Rank+third max Rank)”.

In some example embodiments, if only a first maximum rank value is configured for at least one BWP of the serving cell and the first maximum rank value is associated with one or both SRS resource sets (e.g., first, second, or both SRS resource sets), the terminal device110may determine the maximum rank for the at least one BWP of the serving cell as the first maximum rank value multiplied by 2 when the first maximum rank value is applied for both first and second SRS resource sets, which may be represented as: “2*first max Rank”.

In this case, if the first maximum rank value is associated with one or both CORESETPoolIndexes/PCIs (e.g., 0 or 1), the terminal device110may determine the maximum rank for the at least one BWP of the serving cell as the first maximum rank value multiplied by 2 when the first maximum rank value is for the CORESETPoolIndex=0 or 1.

In this solution, different BWPs and serving cells may also be considered for different cases (some BWPs could support s-DCI while others STRP or M-DCI) mentioned above. For example, the terminal device110may determine the max number of layers for the LBRM calculation considering the maximum number of layers of PUSCH configuration across all BWP of the serving cell (or across all BWP of all serving cells).

Furthermore, the both M-DCI-based or S-DCI-based STxMP PUSCH transmission, the above cases may also be applied per TRP (e.g., CORESETPoolIndex, SRS resource set, PCI) level (instead of the per BWP assumption above).

In some example embodiments, when the per TRP LBRM calculations are applied (the use case may be due to UL rate matching buffer limitations at each TRP), separate maximum rank values (e.g., the first and second rank values) may be configured to the terminal device110where the first rank value may be applicable for the first TRP (e.g., CORESETPoolIndex=0 or PCIx) and the second rank value may be applicable for the second TRP (e.g., CORESETPoolIndex=1 or PCIy). In this case, the terminal device110may determine the max number of layers (and calculate LBRM separately) for each TRP (CORESETPoolIndex/PCI) across all BWP of the serving cell or across all BWP of all serving cells.

Based on the solution described in the present disclosure, one example of the impaction of the Specification may be listed as below:

In a case where one additional maximum rank value is configured, i.e., the one or more maximum rank values comprise a first and second maximum rank value,

. . .5.4.2.1 Bit selectionThe bit sequence after encoding d0, d1, d2, . . . , dN−1from Clause 5.3.2 is written intoa circular buffer of length Ncbfor the r -th coded block, where N is defined in Clause5.3.2.For the r -th code block, let Ncb= N if ILBRM= 0 and Ncb= min(N, Nref)otherwise,where⁢Nref=⌊T⁢B⁢SL⁢B⁢R⁢MC·RL⁢B⁢R⁢M⌋,RLBRM=2/3,TBSLBRM⁢is⁢determined⁢accordingto Clause 6.1.4.2 in [6, TS 38.214] for UL-SCH and Clause 5.1.3.2 in [6, TS 38.214]for DL-SCH/PCH, assuming the following:For one TB for DL-SCH with PDSCH scheduled by DCI format 4_0/4_1/4_2,- if the PDSCH is scheduled by DCI format 4_1/4_2,- maximum number of layers is given by X, where- if the higher layer parameter maxMIMO-Layers of pdsch-ConfigMulticast isconfigured, X is given by that parameter;- otherwise, X equals to 1;- if the higher layer parameter mcs-Table given by a pdsch-ConfigMulticast for at leastone common frequency resource (CFR) is set to ′qam256′, maximum modulation orderQm= 8 is assumed for DL-SCH; otherwise a maximum modulation order Qm= 6 isassumed for DL-SCH;- if the PDSCH is scheduled by DCI format 4_0,- maximum number of layers is 1;- if the higher layer parameter mcs-Table given by a pdsch-ConfigMCCH is set to′qam256′, maximum modulation order Qm= 8 is assumed for DL-SCH; otherwise amaximum modulation order Qm= 6 is assumed for DL-SCH;- if the higher layer parameter mcs-Table given by a pdsch-ConfigMTCH is set to′qam256′, maximum modulation order Qm= 8 is assumed for DL-SCH; otherwise amaximum modulation order Qm= 6 is assumed for DL-SCH;- nPRB= nPRB,LBRMis given by Table 5.4.2.1-1, where the value of nPRB,LBRMfor DL-SCHis determined according to the size of the CFR if only one CFR is configured to the UE;- maximum coding rate of 948/1024;-NR⁢E=156·nP⁢R⁢B;- C is the number of code blocks of the transport block determined according to Clause 5.2.2.For one TB for UL-SCH, or for one TB for DL-SCH/PCH except for DL-SCH withPDSCH scheduled by DCI format 4_0/4_1/4_2,- maximum number of layers for one TB for UL-SCH is given by X, where- if the higher layer parameter maxMIMO-Layers of PUSCH-ServingCellConfig of theserving cell is configured, X is given by that parameter- elseifwhen the TranmissionScheme of pusch-Config is set to ‘SDMscheme’ and the higherlayer parameters maxRank and maxRank2 of pusch-Config of the serving cell areconfigured, the maximum rank L is the maximum value of maxRank and maxRank2 forthe BWP, and X is given by the maximum value of the maximum rank L across allBWPs of the serving cell.when the TranmissionScheme of pusch-Config is set to mDCI-STxMP and the higherlayer parameters maxRank and maxRank2 of pusch-Config of the serving cell areconfigured, the maximum rank L is the maximum value of maxRank and 2*maxRank2for the BWP, and X is given by the maximum value of the maximum rank L across allBWPs of the serving cell.otherwise, the higher layer parameter maxRank of pusch-Config of the serving cell isconfigured, X is given by the maximum value of maxRank across all BWPs of theserving cell- otherwise, X is given by the maximum number of layers for PUSCH supported by theUE for the serving cell- maximum number of layers for one TB for DL-SCH/PCH is given by the minimum of Xand 4, where- if the higher layer parameter maxMIMO-Layers of PDSCH-ServingCellConfig of theserving cell is configured, X is given by that parameter- otherwise, X is given by the maximum number of layers for PDSCH supported by theUE for the serving cellIn a case where two additional maximum rank values are configured, i.e., theone or more maximum rank values comprises a first and a second and a thirdmaximum rank values,5.4.2.1 Bit selectionThe bit sequence after encoding d0, d1, d2, . . . , dN−1from Clause 5.3.2 is written intoa circular buffer of length Nep for the r -th coded block, where N is defined in Clause5.3.2.For the r -th code block, let Ncb= N if ILBRM= 0 and Ncb= min(N, Nref)otherwise,where⁢Nref=⌊T⁢B⁢SL⁢B⁢R⁢MC·RL⁢B⁢R⁢M⌋,RLBRM=2/3,TBSLBRM⁢is⁢determined⁢accordingto Clause 6.1.4.2 in [6, TS 38.214] for UL-SCH and Clause 5.1.3.2 in [6, TS 38.214]for DL-SCH/PCH, assuming the following:For one TB for DL-SCH with PDSCH scheduled by DCI format 4_0/4_1/4_2,- if the PDSCH is scheduled by DCI format 4_1/4_2,- maximum number of layers is given by X, where- if the higher layer parameter maxMIMO-Layers of pdsch-ConfigMulticast isconfigured, X is given by that parameter;- otherwise, X equals to 1;- if the higher layer parameter mcs-Table given by a pdsch-ConfigMulticast for at leastone common frequency resource (CFR) is set to ′qam256′, maximum modulation orderQm= 8 is assumed for DL-SCH; otherwise a maximum modulation order Qm= 6 isassumed for DL-SCH;- if the PDSCH is scheduled by DCI format 4_0,- maximum number of layers is 1;- if the higher layer parameter mcs-Table given by a pdsch-ConfigMCCH is set to′qam256′, maximum modulation order Qm= 8 is assumed for DL-SCH; otherwise amaximum modulation order Qm= 6 is assumed for DL-SCH;- if the higher layer parameter mcs-Table given by a pdsch-ConfigMTCH is set to′qam256′, maximum modulation order Qm= 8 is assumed for DL-SCH; otherwise amaximum modulation order Qm= 6 is assumed for DL-SCH;- nPRB= nPRB,LBRMis given by Table 5.4.2.1-1, where the value of nPRB,LBRMfor DL-SCHis determined according to the size of the CFR if only one CFR is configured to the UE;- maximum coding rate of 948/1024;-NR⁢E=156·nP⁢R⁢B;- C is the number of code blocks of the transport block determined according to Clause 5.2.2.For one TB for UL-SCH, or for one TB for DL-SCH/PCH except for DL-SCH withPDSCH scheduled by DCI format 4_0/4_1/4_2,- maximum number of layers for one TB for UL-SCH is given by X, where- if the higher layer parameter maxMIMO-Layers of PUSCH-ServingCellConfig of theserving cell is configured, X is given by that parameter- elseifwhen the TranmissionScheme of pusch-Config is set to ‘SDMscheme’ and the higherlayer parameters maxRank, maxRank2, and maxRank3 of pusch-Config of the servingcell are configured, the maximum rank L is the maximum value of maxRank, maxRank2,and 2*maxRank3 for the BWP, and X is given by the maximum value of the maximumrank L across all BWPs of the serving cellwhen the TranmissionScheme of pusch-Config is set to mDCI-STxMP and the higherlayer parameters maxRank, maxRank2, and maxRank3 of pusch-Config of the servingcell are configured, the maximum rank L is the maximum value of maxRank and(maxRank2 + maxRank3) for the BWP, and X is given by the maximum value of themaximum rank L across all BWPs of the serving cellotherwise, the higher layer parameter maxRank of pusch-Config of the serving cell isconfigured, X is given by the maximum value of maxRank across all BWPs of theserving cell- otherwise, X is given by the maximum number of layers for PUSCH supported by theUE for the serving cell- maximum number of layers for one TB for DL-SCH/PCH is given by the minimum of Xand 4, where- if the higher layer parameter maxMIMO-Layers of PDSCH-ServingCellConfig of theserving cell is configured, X is given by that parameter- otherwise, X is given by the maximum number of layers for PDSCH supported by theUE for the serving cellIn a case where only a first maximum rank value is configured, i.e., the one or moremaximum rank values comprises only the first maximum rank value,5.4.2.1 Bit selectionThe bit sequence after encoding d0, d1, d2, . . . , dN−1from Clause 5.3.2 is written intoa circular buffer of length Ncbfor the r -th coded block, where N is defined in Clause5.3.2.For the r -th code block, let Ncb= N if ILBRM= 0 and Ncb= min(N, Nref)otherwise,where⁢Nref=⌊T⁢B⁢SL⁢B⁢R⁢MC·RL⁢B⁢R⁢M⌋,RLBRM=2/3,TBSLBRM⁢is⁢determined⁢accordingto Clause 6.1.4.2 in [6, TS 38.214] for UL-SCH and Clause 5.1.3.2 in [6, TS 38.214]for DL-SCH/PCH, assuming the following:For one TB for DL-SCH with PDSCH scheduled by DCI format 4_0/4_1/4_2,- if the PDSCH is scheduled by DCI format 4_1/4_2,- maximum number of layers is given by X, where- if the higher layer parameter maxMIMO-Layers of pdsch-ConfigMulticast isconfigured, X is given by that parameter;- otherwise, X equals to 1;- if the higher layer parameter mcs-Table given by a pdsch-ConfigMulticast for at leastone common frequency resource (CFR) is set to ′qam256′, maximum modulation orderQm= 8 is assumed for DL-SCH; otherwise a maximum modulation order Qm= 6 isassumed for DL-SCH;- if the PDSCH is scheduled by DCI format 4_0,- maximum number of layers is 1;- if the higher layer parameter mcs-Table given by a pdsch-ConfigMCCH is set to′qam256′, maximum modulation order Qm= 8 is assumed for DL-SCH; otherwise amaximum modulation order Qm= 6 is assumed for DL-SCH;- if the higher layer parameter mcs-Table given by a pdsch-ConfigMTCH is set to′qam256′, maximum modulation order Qm= 8 is assumed for DL-SCH; otherwise amaximum modulation order Qm= 6 is assumed for DL-SCH;- nPRB= nPRB,LBRMis given by Table 5.4.2.1-1, where the value of nPRB.LBRMfor DL-SCHis determined according to the size of the CFR if only one CFR is configured to the UE;- maximum coding rate of 948/1024;-NR⁢E=156·nP⁢R⁢B;- C is the number of code blocks of the transport block determined according to Clause 5.2.2.For one TB for UL-SCH, or for one TB for DL-SCH/PCH except for DL-SCH withPDSCH scheduled by DCI format 4_0/4_1/4_2,- maximum number of layers for one TB for UL-SCH is given by X, where- if the higher layer parameter maxMIMO-Layers of PUSCH-ServingCellConfig of theserving cell is configured, X is given by that parameter- elseifwhen the TranmissionScheme of pusch-Config is set to ‘SDMscheme’ or mDCI-STxMPand the higher layer parameters maxRank of pusch-Config of the serving cell areconfigured, the maximum rank L is the maximum value of 2*maxRank for the BWP,and X is given by the maximum value of the maximum rank L across all BWPs of theserving cellotherwise, the higher layer parameter maxRank of pusch-Config of the serving cell isconfigured, X is given by the maximum value of maxRank across all BWPs of theserving cell- otherwise, X is given by the maximum number of layers for PUSCH supported by theUE for the serving cell- maximum number of layers for one TB for DL-SCH/PCH is given by the minimum of Xand 4, whereif the higher layer parameter maxMIMO-Layers of PDSCH-ServingCellConfig of theserving cell is configured, X is given by that parameter- otherwise, X is given by the maximum number of layers for PDSCH supported bythe UE for the serving cell

Based on the solution of the present disclosure, a mechanism about how to calculate LBRM when the UE supports STxMP transmission schemes is proposed.

FIG.3shows a flowchart of an example method300of LBRM calculation for simultaneous multi-panel transmission according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The method300may be implemented at the terminal device110as shown inFIG.1. For the purpose of discussion, the method300will be described with reference toFIG.1.

At310, the terminal device110receives, from a network device120, one or more maximum rank values for at least one BWP of one or more serving cells of the terminal device. The one or more maximum rank values are associated with one or more PUSCH transmission schemes.

At320, the terminal device110determines, based at least on the one or more maximum rank values, a maximum number of layers for LBRM.

At330, the terminal device110determines a TBS for LBRM using the maximum number of layers.

In some example embodiments, the one or more PUSCH transmission schemes comprise at least one of: a single TRP PUSCH transmission, a S-DCI, based STxMP PUSCH transmission, or a M-DCI, based STxMP PUSCH transmission.

In some example embodiments, the single TRP PUSCH transmission comprises at least one of: a first mode of single TRP PUSCH transmission that is applicable when dynamic switching between single TRP transmission and S-DCI based STxMP PUSCH transmission is not configured, or a second mode of single TRP PUSCH transmission that is applicable when dynamic switching between single TRP transmission and S-DCI based STxMP PUSCH transmission is configured.

In some example embodiments, the terminal device110may determine the maximum number of layers for LBRM based at least on a maximum rank for the at least one BWP.

In some example embodiments, the one or more maximum rank values comprise at least one of the following: a first maximum rank value, a second maximum rank value, or a third maximum rank value.

In some example embodiments, the terminal device110may determine the maximum rank for the at least one BWP based on at least one of the following: at least one maximum rank value of the one or more maximum rank values, or at least one PUSCH transmission scheme of the one or more PUSCH transmission schemes.

In some example embodiments, the one or more maximum rank values comprise the first and the second maximum rank values, the terminal device110may determine the maximum rank for the at least one BWP as at least one of the following: a maximum value among the first maximum rank value and the second maximum rank value, or a sum of the first maximum rank value and the second maximum rank value, or a maximum value among the first maximum rank value and the second maximum rank value multiplied by 2.

In some example embodiments, the one or more maximum rank values comprise the first, the second and the third maximum rank values, the terminal device110may determine the maximum rank for the at least one BWP as at least one of the following: a maximum value among the first maximum rank value and a sum of the second maximum rank value and the third maximum rank value, or a maximum value among the second maximum rank value and a sum of the first maximum rank value and the third maximum rank value, or a maximum value among the first maximum rank value, the second maximum rank value and the third maximum rank value multiplied by 2, or a maximum value among the first maximum rank value, the second maximum rank value and the third maximum rank value.

In some example embodiments, the one or more maximum rank values comprise the first maximum rank value, the terminal device110may determine the maximum rank for the at least one BWP as the first maximum rank value multiplied by 2.

In some example embodiments, the one or more maximum rank values are comprised in a PUSCH configuration received from the network device.

FIG.4shows a flowchart of an example method400of LBRM calculation for simultaneous multi-panel transmission according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The method400may be implemented at the network device120as shown inFIG.1. For the purpose of discussion, the method400will be described with reference toFIG.1.

At410, the network device120transmits, to a terminal device110, one or more maximum rank values for at least one BWP of one or more serving cells of the terminal device. The one or more maximum rank values are associated with one or more PUSCH transmission schemes and to be used for the terminal device to determine a maximum number of layers for LBRM.

In some example embodiments, the one or more PUSCH transmission schemes comprise at least one of: a single TRP PUSCH transmission, a S-DCI, based STxMP PUSCH transmission, or a M-DCI, based STxMP PUSCH transmission.

In some example embodiments, the single TRP PUSCH transmission comprises at least one of: a first mode of single TRP PUSCH transmission that is applicable when dynamic switching between single TRP transmission and S-DCI based STxMP PUSCH transmission is not configured, or a second mode of single TRP PUSCH transmission that is applicable when dynamic switching between single TRP transmission and S-DCI based STxMP PUSCH transmission is configured.

In some example embodiments, the one or more maximum rank values are comprised in a PUSCH configuration received from the network device.

In some example embodiments, an apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive, from a network device, one or more maximum rank values for at least one BWP of one or more serving cells of the apparatus, wherein the one or more maximum rank values are associated with one or more PUSCH transmission schemes; determine, based at least on the one or more maximum rank values, a maximum number of layers for LBRM and determine a TBS for LBRM using the maximum number of layers.

In some example embodiments, the one or more PUSCH transmission schemes comprise at least one of: a single TRP PUSCH transmission, a S-DCI, based STxMP PUSCH transmission, or a M-DCI, based STxMP PUSCH transmission.

In some example embodiments, the single TRP PUSCH transmission comprises at least one of: a first mode of single TRP PUSCH transmission that is applicable when dynamic switching between single TRP transmission and S-DCI based STxMP PUSCH transmission is not configured, or a second mode of single TRP PUSCH transmission that is applicable when dynamic switching between single TRP transmission and S-DCI based STxMP PUSCH transmission is configured.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus may be further caused to determine the maximum number of layers for LBRM based at least on a maximum rank for the at least one BWP.

In some example embodiments, the one or more maximum rank values comprise at least one of the following: a first maximum rank value, a second maximum rank value, or a third maximum rank value.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus may be further caused to determine the maximum rank for the at least one BWP based on at least one of the following: at least one maximum rank value of the one or more maximum rank values, or at least one PUSCH transmission scheme of the one or more PUSCH transmission schemes.

In some example embodiments, the one or more maximum rank values comprise the first and the second maximum rank values, the apparatus may be further caused to determine the maximum rank for the at least one BWP as at least one of the following: a maximum value among the first maximum rank value and the second maximum rank value, or a sum of the first maximum rank value and the second maximum rank value, or a maximum value among the first maximum rank value and the second maximum rank value multiplied by 2.

In some example embodiments, the one or more maximum rank values comprise the first, the second and the third maximum rank values, the apparatus may be further caused to determine the maximum rank for the at least one BWP as at least one of the following: a maximum value among the first maximum rank value and a sum of the second maximum rank value and the third maximum rank value, or a maximum value among the second maximum rank value and a sum of the first maximum rank value and the third maximum rank value, or a maximum value among the first maximum rank value, the second maximum rank value and the third maximum rank value multiplied by 2, or a maximum value among the first maximum rank value, the second maximum rank value and the third maximum rank value.

In some example embodiments, the one or more maximum rank values comprise the first maximum rank value, the apparatus may be further caused to determine the maximum rank for the at least one BWP as the first maximum rank value multiplied by 2.

In some example embodiments, the one or more maximum rank values are comprised in a PUSCH configuration received from the network device.

In some example embodiments, an apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: transmit, to a terminal device, one or more maximum rank values for at least one BWP of one or more serving cells of the terminal device, wherein the one or more maximum rank values are associated with one or more PUSCH transmission schemes and to be used for the terminal device to determine a maximum number of layers for LBRM.

In some example embodiments, the one or more PUSCH transmission schemes comprise at least one of: a single TRP PUSCH transmission, a S-DCI, based STxMP PUSCH transmission, or a M-DCI, based STxMP PUSCH transmission.

In some example embodiments, the single TRP PUSCH transmission comprises at least one of: a first mode of single TRP PUSCH transmission that is applicable when dynamic switching between single TRP transmission and S-DCI based STxMP PUSCH transmission is not configured, or a second mode of single TRP PUSCH transmission that is applicable when dynamic switching between single TRP transmission and S-DCI based STxMP PUSCH transmission is configured.

In some example embodiments, the one or more maximum rank values are comprised in a PUSCH configuration received from the network device.

In some example embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing the method300(for example, implemented at the terminal device110) may include means for performing the respective steps of the method300. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a network device, one or more maximum rank values for at least one BWP of one or more serving cells of the apparatus, wherein the one or more maximum rank values are associated with one or more PUSCH transmission schemes; means for determining, based at least on the one or more maximum rank values, a maximum number of layers for LBRM; and means for determining a TBS for LBRM using the maximum number of layers.

In some example embodiments, the one or more PUSCH transmission schemes comprise at least one of: a single TRP PUSCH transmission, a S-DCI, based STxMP PUSCH transmission, or a M-DCI, based STxMP PUSCH transmission.

In some example embodiments, the single TRP PUSCH transmission comprises at least one of: a first mode of single TRP PUSCH transmission that is applicable when dynamic switching between single TRP transmission and S-DCI-based STxMP PUSCH transmission is not configured, or a second mode of single TRP PUSCH transmission that is applicable when dynamic switching between single TRP transmission and S-DCI-based STxMP PUSCH transmission is configured.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise means for determining the maximum number of layers for LBRM based at least on a maximum rank for the at least one BWP.

In some example embodiments, the one or more maximum rank values comprise at least one of the following: a first maximum rank value, a second maximum rank value, or a third maximum rank value.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise means for determining the maximum rank for the at least one BWP based on at least one of the following:

at least one maximum rank value of the one or more maximum rank values, or at least one PUSCH transmission scheme of the one or more PUSCH transmission schemes.

In some example embodiments, the one or more maximum rank values comprise the first and the second maximum rank values, the apparatus may further comprise means for determining the maximum rank for the at least one BWP as at least one of the following: a maximum value among the first maximum rank value and the second maximum rank value, or a sum of the first maximum rank value and the second maximum rank value, or a maximum value among the first maximum rank value and the second maximum rank value multiplied by 2.

In some example embodiments, the one or more maximum rank values comprise the first, the second and the third maximum rank values, the apparatus may further comprise means for determining the maximum rank for the at least one BWP as at least one of the following: a maximum value among the first maximum rank value and a sum of the second maximum rank value and the third maximum rank value, or a maximum value among the second maximum rank value and a sum of the first maximum rank value and the third maximum rank value, or a maximum value among the first maximum rank value, the second maximum rank value and the third maximum rank value multiplied by 2, or a maximum value among the first maximum rank value, the second maximum rank value and the third maximum rank value.

In some example embodiments, the one or more maximum rank values comprise the first maximum rank value, the apparatus may further comprise means for determining the maximum rank for the at least one BWP as the first maximum rank value multiplied by 2.

In some example embodiments, the one or more maximum rank values are comprised in a PUSCH configuration received from the network device.

In some example embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing the method400(for example, implemented at the network device120) may include means for performing the respective steps of the method400. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to a terminal device, one or more maximum rank values for at least one BWP of one or more serving cells of the terminal device, wherein the one or more maximum rank values are associated with one or more PUSCH transmission schemes and to be used for the terminal device to determine a maximum number of layers for LBRM.

In some example embodiments, the one or more PUSCH transmission schemes comprise at least one of: a single TRP PUSCH transmission, a S-DCI, based STxMP PUSCH transmission, or a M-DCI, based STxMP PUSCH transmission.

In some example embodiments, the single TRP PUSCH transmission comprises at least one of: a first mode of single TRP PUSCH transmission that is applicable when dynamic switching between single TRP transmission and S-DCI-based STxMP PUSCH transmission is not configured, or a second mode of single TRP PUSCH transmission that is applicable when dynamic switching between single TRP transmission and S-DCI-based STxMP PUSCH transmission is configured.

In some example embodiments, the one or more maximum rank values are comprised in a PUSCH configuration received from the network device.

FIG.5is a simplified block diagram of a device500that is suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure. The device500may be provided to implement a communication device, for example, the terminal device110or the network device120as shown inFIG.1. As shown, the device500includes one or more processors510, one or more memories520coupled to the processor510, and one or more communication modules540coupled to the processor510.

The communication module540is for bidirectional communications. The communication module540has one or more communication interfaces to facilitate communication with one or more other modules or devices. The communication interfaces may represent any interface that is necessary for communication with other network elements. In some example embodiments, the communication module540may include at least one antenna.

A computer program530includes computer executable instructions that are executed by the associated processor510. The instructions of the program530may include instructions for performing operations/acts of some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The program530may be stored in the memory, e.g., the ROM524. The processor510may perform any suitable actions and processing by loading the program530into the RAM522.

The example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by means of the program530so that the device500may perform any process of the disclosure as discussed with reference toFIG.2toFIG.4. The example embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

In some example embodiments, the program530may be tangibly contained in a computer readable medium which may be included in the device500(such as in the memory520) or other storage devices that are accessible by the device500. The device500may load the program530from the computer readable medium to the RAM522for execution. In some example embodiments, the computer readable medium may include any types of non-transitory storage medium, such as ROM, EPROM, a flash memory, a hard disk, CD, DVD, and the like. The term “non-transitory,” as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

FIG.6shows an example of the computer readable medium600which may be in form of CD, DVD or other optical storage disk. The computer readable medium600has the program530stored thereon.

Some example embodiments of the present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a computer readable medium, such as a non-transitory computer readable medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as those included in program modules, being executed in a device on a target physical or virtual processor, to carry out any of the methods as described above. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, or the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules as desired in various embodiments. Machine-executable instructions for program modules may be executed within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media.

Program code for carrying out methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. The program code may be provided to a processor or controller of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that the program code, when executed by the processor or controller, cause the functions/operations specified in the flowcharts and/or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may execute entirely on a machine, partly on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the machine and partly on a remote machine or entirely on the remote machine or server.

In the context of the present disclosure, the computer program code or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable the device, apparatus or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of the carrier include a signal, computer readable medium, and the like.

Further, while operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Likewise, while several specific implementation details are contained in the above discussions, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Unless explicitly stated, certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, unless explicitly stated, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in a plurality of embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination.