MULTI-DCI BASED PHYSICAL UPLINK SHARED CHANNEL (PUSCH) WITH REPETITION

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for determining which of two or more invalid symbol patterns to apply to at least one physical uplink shared channels (PUSCHs) with repetition, such as in a multi-transmit-receive-point (multi-TRP) situation where two or more invalid symbol patterns may be used to schedule respective PUSCHs. For example, a pattern may indicate one or more invalid symbols for PUSCH repetition Type B transmission. In a multi-TRP case, each TRP may have a separate pattern indicating different unavailable symbols. One invalid symbol pattern may not be enough for PUSCH transmissions to multi-TRPs. The present disclosure provides techniques for determining and applying one or more of at least two patterns to PUSCH transmissions with repetition.

BACKGROUND

Field

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to wireless communications, and more particularly, to techniques for sending uplink transmissions with repetition.

Description of Related Art

These and other multiple access technologies have been adopted in various telecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that enables different wireless devices to communicate on a municipal, national, regional, and even global level. However, as the demand for mobile broadband access continues to increase, there exists a need for further improvements in these and emerging wireless communications technologies.

SUMMARY

Certain aspects of the present disclosure can be implemented in a method for wireless communication by a user equipment (UE). The method generally includes receiving signaling configuring the UE with at least two patterns, each of the at least two patterns indicating one or more symbols considered invalid for physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) repetition transmission. The method includes receiving signaling scheduling the UE to transmit a first PUSCH with repetition and at least a second PUSCH. The method includes determining which of the at least two patterns to apply when transmitting the first and second PUSCH. The method includes transmitting the first PUSCH and second PUSCH in accordance with the determination.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure can be implemented in an apparatus for wireless communication by a UE. The apparatus generally includes a memory and at least one processor coupled to the memory, the memory and the at least one processor being configured to receive signaling configuring the UE with at least two patterns, each of the at least two patterns indicating one or more symbols considered invalid for PUSCH repetition transmission; receive signaling scheduling the UE to transmit a first PUSCH with repetition and at least a second PUSCH; determine which of the at least two patterns to apply when transmitting the first and second PUSCH; and transmit the first PUSCH and second PUSCH in accordance with the determination.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure can be implemented in an apparatus for wireless communication by a UE. The apparatus generally includes means for receiving signaling configuring the UE with at least two patterns, each of the at least two patterns indicating one or more symbols considered invalid for PUSCH repetition transmission; means for receiving signaling scheduling the UE to transmit a first PUSCH with repetition and at least a second PUSCH; means for determining which of the at least two patterns to apply when transmitting the first and second PUSCH; and means for transmitting the first PUSCH and second PUSCH in accordance with the determination.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure can be implemented in a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon for receiving signaling configuring the UE with at least two patterns, each of the at least two patterns indicating one or more symbols considered invalid for PUSCH repetition transmission; receiving signaling scheduling the UE to transmit a first PUSCH with repetition and at least a second PUSCH; determining which of the at least two patterns to apply when transmitting the first and second PUSCH; and transmitting the first PUSCH and second PUSCH in accordance with the determination.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure can be implemented in a method for wireless communication by at least two network entities (e.g., multiple transmit-receive points (multi-TRPs)). The method generally includes transmitting signaling configuring a UE with at least two patterns, each of the at least two patterns indicating one or more symbols considered invalid for PUSCH repetition transmission. The method includes transmitting signaling scheduling the UE to transmit a first PUSCH with repetition and at least a second PUSCH. The method includes determining which of the at least two patterns to apply when receiving the first and second PUSCH. The method includes receiving the first PUSCH and second PUSCH in accordance with the determination.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure can be implemented in an apparatus for wireless communication by at least two network entities (e.g., multi-TRPs). The apparatus generally includes a memory and at least one processor coupled to the memory, the memory and the at least one processor being configured to transmit signaling configuring a UE with at least two patterns. Each of the at least two patterns indicates one or more symbols considered invalid for PUSCH repetition transmission. The memory and the at least one processor are configured to transmit signaling scheduling the UE to transmit a first PUSCH with repetition and at least a second PUSCH; determine which of the at least two patterns to apply when receiving the first and second PUSCH; and receive the first PUSCH and second PUSCH in accordance with the determination.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure can be implemented in an apparatus for wireless communication by at least two network entities (e.g., multi-TRPs). The apparatus generally includes means for transmitting signaling configuring a UE with at least two patterns, each of the at least two patterns indicating one or more symbols considered invalid for PUSCH repetition transmission; means for transmitting signaling scheduling the UE to transmit a first PUSCH with repetition and at least a second PUSCH; means for determining which of the at least two patterns to apply when receiving the first and second PUSCH; and means for receiving the first PUSCH and second PUSCH in accordance with the determination.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure can be implemented in a computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon for transmitting signaling configuring a UE with at least two patterns, each of the at least two patterns indicating one or more symbols considered invalid for PUSCH repetition transmission; transmitting signaling scheduling the UE to transmit a first PUSCH with repetition and at least a second PUSCH; determining which of the at least two patterns to apply when receiving the first and second PUSCH; and receiving the first PUSCH and second PUSCH in accordance with the determination.

The following description and the appended drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative features of the one or more aspects. These features are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of various aspects may be employed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for determining which of two or more invalid symbol patterns to apply to at least one physical uplink shared channels (PUSCHs) with repetition, such as in a multi-transmit-receive-point (multi-TRP) situation where two or more invalid symbol patterns may be used to schedule respective PUSCHs. Invalid symbol patterns generally indicate one or more invalid symbols for PUSCH repetition Type B transmission. In a multi-TRP case, each TRP may have a separate pattern indicating different unavailable symbols. As such, one invalid symbol pattern may not be enough for PUSCH transmissions to multi-TRPs. The present disclosure provides techniques for determining which, of at least two patterns, to apply for PUSCH transmissions with repetition.

For example, a user equipment (UE) may receive signaling that configures the UE with at least two patterns. Each of the at least two patterns may indicate one or more symbols considered invalid for PUSCH repetition transmission. The UE may receive signaling scheduling the UE to transmit a first PUSCH with repetition and at least a second PUSCH. For example, in a multi-TRP situation, a first downlink control information (DCI) may schedule a first PUSCH to be transmitted to a first TRP, and a second DCI may schedule a second PUSCH to be transmitted to a second TRP. The UE determines which of the at least two patterns to apply when transmitting the first and the second PUSCH, such as one, all, or none of the at least two patterns. The UE transmits the first PUSCH and the second PUSCH in accordance with the determination.

When transmitting two PUSCHs to respective TRPs in a common component carrier (CC), and when the two PUSCHs are at least partially overlapping in time, conventional methods (often limited to one symbol pattern) may be insufficient in handling different symbol availabilities in multiple TRPs. Because the invalid/unavailable symbols may be different for each TRP, segmentations of nominal PUSCH repetitions may also be different. However, in the cases when two or more invalid symbol patterns (e.g., of different TRPs) are provided to the UE, the UE may still need to determine which of the two or more invalid symbol patterns to apply. The present disclosure provides methods and techniques for determining and applying two or more invalid symbol patterns for corresponding two or more TRPs to at least one PUSCH transmission with repetition, such that under specific conditions, the UE may apply one, all, or none of the two or more invalid symbol patterns.

Brief Introduction to Wireless Communication Networks

FIG.1depicts an example of a wireless communications system100, in which aspects described herein may be implemented. WhileFIG.1is briefly introduced here for context, additional aspects ofFIG.1are described below.

Generally, wireless communications system100includes base stations (BSs)102, user equipments (UEs)104, an Evolved Packet Core (EPC)160, and core network190(e.g., a 5G Core (5GC)), which interoperate to provide wireless communications services.

Base stations102may generally provide an access point to the EPC160and/or core network190for a UE104, and may generally perform one or more of the following functions: transfer of user data, radio channel ciphering and deciphering, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection setup and release, load balancing, distribution for non-access stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, radio access network (RAN) sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), subscriber and equipment trace, RAN information management (RIM), paging, positioning, delivery of warning messages, among other functions, including those further described herein. Base stations described herein may include and/or be referred to as a gNB, Node B, eNB, an access point, a base transceiver station, a radio base station, a radio transceiver, or a transceiver function, or a transmit reception point (TRP) in various contexts.

Base stations102wirelessly communicate with UEs104via communications links120. Each of base stations102may generally provide communication coverage for a respective geographic coverage area110, which may overlap in some cases. For example, small cell102′ (e.g., a low-power base station) may have a coverage area110′ that overlaps the coverage area110of one or more macrocells (e.g., high-power base stations).

The communication links120between base stations102and UEs104may include uplink (UL) (also referred to as reverse link) transmissions from a UE104to a base station102and/or downlink (DL) (also referred to as forward link) transmissions from a base station102to a UE104. The communication links120may use multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and/or transmit diversity in various aspects.

Examples of UEs104include a cellular phone, a smart phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a satellite radio, a global positioning system, a multimedia device, a video device, a digital audio player (e.g., MP3 player), a camera, a game console, a tablet, a smart device, a wearable device (e.g., a smart watch, smart ring, smart bracelet, etc.), a vehicle, an electric meter, a gas pump, a large or small kitchen appliance, a healthcare device, an implant, a sensor/actuator, a display, or any other similar functioning device. Some of UEs104may be internet of things (IoT) devices (e.g., parking meter, gas pump, toaster, vehicles, heart monitor, etc.), always on (AON) devices, or edge processing devices. UEs104may also be referred to more generally as a station, a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communications device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, or a client.

In some cases, a base station102in the wireless communication network100may include a symbol pattern configuration component199, which may be configured to perform the operations shown inFIG.8, as well as other operations described herein for determining which patterns to apply in PUSCH with repetitions. Additionally, a UE104in the wireless communication network100may include a symbol pattern configuration component198, which may be configured to perform the operations depicted and described with respect toFIG.7, as well as other operations described herein for determining which patterns to apply in PUSCH with repetitions.

FIG.2depicts certain example aspects of a base station (BS)102and a user equipment (UE)104. As withFIG.1,FIG.2is briefly introduced here for context and additional aspects ofFIG.2are described below.

Generally, BS102includes various processors (e.g.,220,230,238, and240), antennas234a-t, transceivers232a-t, and other aspects, in order to transmit data (e.g., source data212) and to receive data (e.g., data sink239). For example, BS102may send and receive data between itself and UE104.

In the depicted example, BS102includes controller/processor240, which comprises a symbol pattern configuration component241. In some cases, the symbol pattern configuration component241may be configured to implement symbol pattern configuration component199ofFIG.1and to perform the operations depicted and described with respect toFIG.9.

UE104generally includes various processors (e.g.,258,264,266, and280), antennas252a-r, transceivers254a-r, and other aspects, in order to transmit data (e.g., source data262) and to receive data (e.g., data sink260).

In the depicted example, UE104includes controller/processor280, which comprises a symbol pattern configuration component281. In some cases, the symbol pattern configuration component281may be configured to implement the symbol pattern configuration component198ofFIG.1and to perform the operations depicted and described with respect toFIG.8.

FIGS.3A-3Ddepict various example aspects of data structures for a wireless communication network, such as wireless communication network100ofFIG.1. In particular,FIG.3Ais a diagram300illustrating an example of a first subframe within a 5G (e.g., 5G NR) frame structure.FIG.3Bis a diagram330illustrating an example of DL channels within a 5G subframe.FIG.3Cis a diagram350illustrating an example of a second subframe within a 5G frame structure.FIG.3Dis a diagram380illustrating an example of UL channels within a 5G subframe.

Brief Introduction to mmWave Wireless Communications

The electromagnetic spectrum is often subdivided, based on frequency/wavelength, into various classes, bands, channels, etc. In various aspects, a frequency may also be referred to as a carrier, a subcarrier, a frequency channel, a tone, or a subband.

In 5G, two initial operating bands have been identified as frequency range designations FR1 (410 MHz-7.125 GHz) and FR2 (24.25 GHz-52.6 GHz). The frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are often referred to as mid-band frequencies. Although a portion of FR1 is greater than 6 GHz, FR1 is often referred to (interchangeably) as a “Sub-6 GHz” band in various documents and articles. A similar nomenclature issue sometimes occurs with regard to FR2, which is sometimes referred to (interchangeably) as a “millimeter wave” band in documents and articles, despite being different from the extremely high frequency (EHF) band (30 GHz-300 GHz), which is identified by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) as a “millimeter wave” band because wavelengths at these frequencies are between 1 millimeter and 10 millimeters. Radio waves in the band may be referred to as a millimeter wave. Near mmW may extend down to a frequency of 3 GHz with a wavelength of 100 millimeters. The super high frequency (SHF) band extends between 3 GHz and 30 GHz, also referred to as centimeter wave.

Communications using the mmW/near mmW radio frequency band (e.g., 3 GHz-300 GHz) may have higher path loss and a shorter range compared to lower frequency communications. Accordingly, inFIG.1, mmW base station180may utilize beamforming182with the UE104to improve path loss and range. To do so, base station180and the UE104may each include a plurality of antennas, such as antenna elements, antenna panels, and/or antenna arrays to facilitate the beamforming.

In some cases, base station180may transmit a beamformed signal to UE104in one or more transmit directions182′. UE104may receive the beamformed signal from the base station180in one or more receive directions182″. UE104may also transmit a beamformed signal to the base station180in one or more transmit directions182″. Base station180may receive the beamformed signal from UE104in one or more receive directions182′. Base station180and UE104may then perform beam training to determine the best receive and transmit directions for each of base station180and UE104. Notably, the transmit and receive directions for base station180may or may not be the same. Similarly, the transmit and receive directions for UE104may or may not be the same.

Example Mechanisms for Applying Invalid Symbol Patterns in Uplink Repetitions

As noted above, 5G New Radio (NR) networks define different types of uplink (UL) repetition mechanisms (type A and type B) for physical UL shared channel (PUSCH) and/or a physical UL control channel (PUCCH) transmissions. Repetition may increase the likelihood of successful reception, for example, allowing for increased coding gain and soft combining at the network side.

As illustrated in the timeline400A ofFIG.4A, which illustrates an example scenario of repetition type A, a repetition pattern may be based on information (number K, length L, and starting symbol S) contained in a Start Length Information Value (SLIV) indicated via a DCI.

In the case of Type A, one PUSCH is transmitted in each slot and the time domain resource allocation (TDRA) is the same in each slot. Thus, as illustrated inFIG.4A, repetitions repeat across slots, occupying the same resources in each slot. In the illustrated example, the repetition parameters (S, L, and K) may be configured in downlink control information (DCI)402A conveying a SLIV. In the illustrated example, there are two repetitions (K=2) with a 4 symbol length (L=4). A first UL repetition 0 occurs in slot n, starting at a 10thsymbol (e.g., S=10), while the second repetition 1 occurs in slot n+1.

As illustrated in the timeline400B ofFIG.4B, type B repetitions may be sent back-to-back within and/or across slots in accordance with the information in the configured SLIV (which may be a new format) conveyed the DCI402B. For type B repetition, a TDRA field in the DCI may indicate the resource for a first “nominal” repetition. The time domain resources for the remaining repetitions may be derived based at least on the resources for the first repetition and UL/DL direction of symbols. The SLIV in the DCI indicates a “nominal” number of repetitions. The repetitions and number of repetitions are referred to as nominal because the scheduled repetitions may be considered theoretical in comparison to what is actually achievable (actual repetitions) based on actual uplink/downlink (UL/DL) direction of symbols in the relevant slot(s).

As shown, the nominal repetition may be consecutive (e.g., Replica 0 and Replica 2). The nominal repetitions may have the same length. When a nominal repetition crosses the slot boundary, the repetition may be divided into two actual repetitions (e.g., Rep. 0 and Rep. 1).

Further, in the illustrated example, the configured starting symbol of 10 (S=10), number of repetitions (K=2), and length of each repetition (L=4) results in the first repetition (Rep. 0) occupying the last 4 symbols in slot n and the second repetition (Rep. 1) occupying the first four symbols of slot n+1). Thus, as illustrated, the repetitions cross the slot boundary. Type B repetition may provide enhanced flexibility, for example, allowing for a dynamic indication of a number of repetitions, inter-nominal PUSCH frequency hopping, and new UL/downlink (DL) symbol interaction (e.g., opportunistically allowing flexible symbols to be used for uplink repetition).

FIG.5illustrates additional example timelines of type B slot repetitions. As shown in the first timeline500A, with a starting symbol of 4 (S=4), 2 repetitions (K=2) of length4(L=4), both repetitions may be contained in the same slot (the repetitions do not cross the slot boundary).

As illustrated in timeline500B, if the number of repetitions is increased to 4 (K=4), the third repetition of length4would cross the slot boundary. In such cases, this nominal repetition may be segmented, as shown, into two smaller actual repetitions of length2. Similarly, as illustrated in timeline500C, even if the number of repetitions is only 1 (K=1) but the length is increased to 14 (L=14), the single repetition of length14would cross the slot boundary. In such cases, this nominal repetition may be segmented, as shown, into two smaller actual repetitions of lengths10and4.

Segmentation may also occur due to the occurrence of semi-static DL symbols, and/or in response to a parameter InvalidSymbolPattern (indicating the occurrence of a symbol not valid for a nominal uplink repetition). For example, an invalid symbol pattern (or referred to generally as a pattern) identifies unavailable or invalid symbols in a PUSCH with repetition. For example, when some of the symbols of a nominal repetition are identified as invalid symbols, a nominal repetition is divided into multiple actual repetitions after removing the invalid symbols. Invalid symbols can be produced or generated based on: one or more indicated symbols in a pattern (e.g., by definition or indication); semi-static downlink symbols; synchronization signal block (SSB) symbol(s), or where CORESET0 (for Type0-PDCCH) is monitored. If an actual repetition after segmentation has only one symbol, the one symbol may be omitted.

FIG.6illustrates an example application of an invalid symbol pattern to a PUSCH repetition. The invalid symbol pattern may be configured by the UE with a higher layer parameter (e.g., InvalidSymbolPattern or invalidSymbolPattern). For example, the pattern provides a symbol level bitmap spanning one or two slots: Bitmap of length14(one slot) or 28 (2 slots). A two-slot pattern is shown inFIG.6. In some cases, a bit value equal to 1 in the symbol level bitmap symbols indicates that the corresponding symbol is an invalid symbol602for PUSCH repetition (e.g., Type B transmission).

In addition, the UE may be configured with a time-domain pattern (e.g., with a higher layer parameter periodicityAndPattern inside invalidSymbolPattern) to further configure the pattern. The periodicity of the time-domain pattern may be {1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 20 or 40} units long. Each bit in periodicityAndPattern is one unit (1 or 2 slots). For example, a bit value equal to 1 indicates that the symbol level bitmap symbols is present in the unit. When the time-domain pattern is not configured, the UE may assume that the symbol level bitmap symbols is always present in each unit.

In some cases, when the parameter invalidSymbolPattern is configured, the UE may apply the invalid symbol pattern (e.g., a single pattern) based on certain conditions, such as whether the PUSCH is scheduled by DCI format 0_1 or 0_2.

If the PUSCH is scheduled by DCI format 0_1, or corresponds to a Type 2 configured grant (CG) activated by DCI format 0_1, and if a related parameter (e.g., invalidSymbolPatternIndicatorDCI-0-1) is configured, then when the invalid symbol pattern indicator field is set as 1, the UE then applies the invalid symbol pattern. Otherwise, the UE does not apply the invalid symbol pattern.

If the PUSCH is scheduled by DCI format 0_2, or corresponds to a Type 2 CG activated by DCI format 0_2, and if a related parameter (e.g., invalidSymbolPatternIndicatorDCI-0-2) is configured, then when the invalid symbol pattern indicator field is set as 1, the UE applies the invalid symbol pattern. Otherwise, the UE does not apply the invalid symbol pattern.

Otherwise, if neither of these conditions (e.g., scheduled by DCI format 0_1 or 0_2) are met, then the UE applies the invalid symbol pattern. For example, the UE may apply the invalid symbol pattern for scheduled dynamic grant (DG) or activated Type 2 CG, or for Type 1 CG-PUSCH when such PUSCH is scheduled by a DCI without an invalid symbol indicator field.

This technique of applying one invalid symbol pattern, however, may not apply to situations where two or more invalid symbol patterns are provided to the UE for multi-TRP PUSCH transmissions. The present disclosure provides techniques for determining which of two or more patterns to apply when transmitting multiple PUSCHs.

FIGS.7A and7Billustrate multiple DCI based PUSCH scheduling for multi-TRPs and respective configurations. As shown inFIG.7A, for multi-TRP transmission, each of multiple PUSCHs (to be transmitted to one of the multiple TRPs) may be scheduled by a DCI. For example, each TRP may transmit a DCI to the UE via a PDCCH. For example, PDCCH1 (transmitted from TRP1) may carry a first DCI that schedules PUSCH1 to be transmitted to TRP1. Similarly, PDCCH2 (transmitted from TRP2) may carry a second DCI that schedules PUSCH2 to be transmitted to TRP2.

For monitoring the DCIs transmitted from different TRPs, a number of different control resource sets (CORESETs) may be used. As used herein, the term CORESET generally refers to a set of physical resources (e.g., a specific area on the NR Downlink Resource Grid) and a set of parameters that is used to carry PDCCH/DCI. For example, a CORESET may by similar in area to an LTE PDCCH area (e.g., the first 1, 2, 3, 4 OFDM symbols in a subframe).

In some cases, TRP differentiation at the UE side may be based on CORESET groups or CORESET pool index. For example, CORESET groups may be defined by higher layer signaling of an index per CORESET which can be used to group the CORESETs. Each CORESET (e.g., up to five CORESETs) may be configured with a value of CORESETPoolIndex. The value of CORESETPoolIndex can be 0 or 1.

As shown inFIG.7B, for two CORESET groups, two indexes may be used (as shown, CORESETPoolIndex=0 and CORESETPoolIndex=1). Each of the GORESET group may further include at least two CORESET identifiers (e.g., ID=1 and ID=2). Thus, a UE may monitor for transmissions in different CORESET groups and infer that transmissions sent in different CORESET groups come from different TRPs. Otherwise, the notion of different TRPs may be transparent to the UE. In some cases, condition in 3GPP specifications may determine how the UE is configured with multi-DCI based multi-TRP: for example, a UE may be configured by higher layer parameter PDCCH-Config that contains two different values of CORESETPoolIndex in CORESETs for the active BWP of a serving cell. In another example (e.g., Rel. 16), PUSCHs may be time-division multiplexed (TDMed) in a given CC/serving cell (even across TRPs/CORESETPoolIndex values). Both space division multiplexing (SDM) and/or frequency division multiplexing (FDM) may be also applicable.

According to previous specifications (e.g., in Rel. 15, 16, or 17), two PUSCHs in a common CC overlapping in time may not be supported. In Rel. 18, simultaneous PUSCH transmission (e.g., PUSCH1+PUSCH2) in one CC may be specified. This corresponds to two PUSCHs that are at least partially overlapping in the time domain. As mentioned, multi-DCI framework (with multiple CORESETPoolIndex values) may support scheduling such PUSCHs. However, when one or both of the two PUSCHs are scheduled according to repetition Type B, one invalid symbol pattern may not be enough, because each TRP can have a respective invalid symbol pattern, as the unavailable symbols for each TRP may be different. Invalid symbols, and hence, segmentation of nominal PUSCH repetitions can depend on the TRP (CORESETPoolIndex value) associated with the PUSCH transmission.

Accordingly, certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for determining and applying two or more patterns in multi-DCI based PUSCH transmissions. For example, a UE may receive signaling configuring the UE with at least two patterns and receive signaling scheduling the UE to transmit a first PUSCH repetition and at least a second PUSCH. The UE may determine, according to the present disclosure, which of the at least two patterns to apply when transmitting the first and second PUSCH.

Example Determination and Application of Invalid Symbol Patterns

FIG.8is a flow diagram illustrating example operations800for wireless communication, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. The operations800may be performed, for example, by a UE (e.g., such as the UE104in the wireless communication network100) capable of determining which of at least two invalid symbol patterns to apply to multi-TRP PUSCH transmissions. The operations800may be implemented as software components that are executed and run on one or more processors (e.g., controller/processor280ofFIG.2). Further, the transmission and reception of signals by the UE in operations800may be enabled, for example, by one or more antennas (e.g., antennas252ofFIG.2). In certain aspects, the transmission and/or reception of signals by the UE may be implemented via a bus interface of one or more processors (e.g., controller/processor280) obtaining and/or outputting signals.

The operations800begins, at802, by receiving signaling configuring the UE with at least two patterns. Each of the at least two patterns indicates one or more symbols considered invalid for PUSCH repetition transmission. For example, each of the at least two patterns may be similar to the invalid symbol pattern602shown inFIG.6. In some cases, the at least two patterns are associated with some corresponding parameters. The parameters may, in some cases, be a CORESET pool index value for CORESET configuration. In another example, the parameters may be an identification of a UE panel or an indication of a UE beam group or an indication of a SRS resource set.

At804, the UE receives signaling that schedules the UE to transmit a first PUSCH with repetition and at least a second PUSCH. The first PUSCH with repetition may be a PUSCH with repetition Type B. In some cases, the first PUSCH with repetition and the second PUSCH are in common component carriers (CCs) or bandwidth parts (BWPs). The at least second PUSCH at least partially overlaps in time with the first PUSCH with repetition. In some cases, the first PUSCH with repetition and the at least one second PUSCH are scheduled by respective DCIs from different TRPs in a multi-TRP setting.

At806, the UE determines which of the at least two patterns to apply when transmitting the first and second PUSCHs. Depending on different signaling or conditions, the UE may determine to apply one or more, all, or none of the at least two patterns. For example, the determination may be performed by selecting one of the at least two patterns based on a corresponding parameter associated with one of the first PUSCH with repetition dynamically scheduled or activated by the DCI scheduling the first PUSCH with repetition. The determination may also be based on a value in an invalid symbol indicator field in the DCI. The value may indicate any combination or none of the at least two patterns. In some cases, the determination may be performed by selecting one of the at least two patterns based on a corresponding parameter value associated with one of the first PUSCH with repetition of a Type 1 configured grant (CG). Examples of determining which of the at least two patterns to apply are discussed below in relation toFIGS.11and12.

At808, the UE transmits the first PUSCH and the second PUSCH in accordance with the determination.

In aspects, the UE may determine which of the at least two patterns to apply by selecting one of the at least two patterns based on a corresponding parameter associated with one of the first PUSCH with repetition dynamically scheduled or activated by the DCI. In some cases, the DCI includes an invalid symbol indicator field indicating whether to apply the selected one of the at least two patterns based on the corresponding parameter associated with one of the first PUSCH with repetition. In some cases, the UE determines to apply the one of the at least two patterns when the DCI does not include an invalid symbol indicator field. In some cases, the UE may determine to apply all or none of the at least two patterns when the DCI does not provide a relevant indication.

In aspects, the UE may determine which of the at least two patterns to apply by determining based on a value in an invalid symbol indicator field in the DCI, wherein the value indicates any combination or none of the at least two patterns. In some cases, when the at least two patterns includes two patterns, the value includes a two bit value for indicating: none of the at least two patterns to be applied; a first of the two patterns to be applied; a second of the two patterns to be applied; or both of the two patterns to be applied. In some cases, the UE may always apply a first one of the two patterns associated with a first one of the corresponding parameters corresponding to the DCI. The value includes a one bit value for indicating: whether to apply, based on the one bit value, a second one of the at least two patterns associated with a second one of the corresponding parameters not corresponding to the DCI.

In aspects, the UE receives signaling configuring the UE with at least two patterns by receiving the at least two patterns via radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

In aspects, the UE may select one of the at least two patterns based on a corresponding parameter value associated with one of the first PUSCH with repetition of a Type 1 configured grant (CG). For example, the one of the at least two patterns is associated with the corresponding parameter value configured for the one of the first PUSCH with repetition via radio resource control (RRC) signaling. In some cases, the RRC signaling includes a parameter that, when configured for each CG configuration, explicitly indicates a selection of the at least two patterns; or when not configured for each CG configuration, implicitly indicates a remainder of the at least two patterns.

In some cases, the RRC signaling configures the first PUSCH with repetition, and includes a pattern identification parameter, for each CG configuration, identifying one of the at least two patterns. The UE may determine to apply none of the at least two patterns when the pattern identification parameter does not identify any of the at least two patterns.

FIG.9is a flow diagram illustrating example operations900for wireless communication by one or more network entities (e.g., base stations, or multi-TRPs) that may be considered complementary to operations800ofFIG.8. For example, the operations900may be performed by a BS (e.g., such as the BS102in the wireless communication network100) for monitoring for uplink repetitions sent according to a determination of which of at least two patterns applied to a PUSCH with repetition. The operations900may be implemented as software components that are executed and run on one or more processors (e.g., controller/processor240ofFIG.2). Further, the transmission and reception of signals by the BS in operations900may be enabled, for example, by one or more antennas (e.g., antennas234ofFIG.2). In certain aspects, the transmission and/or reception of signals by the BS may be implemented via a bus interface of one or more processors (e.g., controller/processor240) obtaining and/or outputting signals.

The operations900begin, at902, by transmitting signaling configuring a UE with at least two patterns that indicate one or more symbols considered invalid for PUSCH repetition transmission. As noted above, in some cases, the at least two patterns may be associated with corresponding parameters for PUSCH transmissions.

At904, the network entities transmit signaling scheduling the UE to transmit a first PUSCH with repetition and at least a second PUSCH. As mentioned before, the first PUSCH may at least partially overlap with the second PUSCH in time. In a multi-TRP situation, the first PUSCH is for a first one of the multi-TRPs, while the second PUSCH is for the second one of the multi-TRPs.

At906, the network entities determine which of the at least two patterns to apply when receiving the first and the second PUSCH. For example, the network entities may receive indications from the UE regarding the UE's determination. In some cases, the network entities may determine which of the at least two patterns should be applied and signal to the UE to apply the network entities' determination.

At908, the network entities receive the first PUSCH with repetition and the at least second PUSCH in accordance with the determination.

Operations800and900ofFIGS.8and9may be understood with reference to the example call flow diagram1000ofFIG.10, which shows interactions between TRPs102and a UE104sending uplink repetitions according to a repetition pattern modified to avoid segmentation, in accordance to aspects of the present disclosure.

At1002, the TRPs102transmits signaling that configures the UE104with at least two patterns. For ease of explanation, the TRPs102include two TRPs and the at least two patterns include two respective invalid symbol patterns for transmission of two PUSCHs from the UE104to the TRPs102. The two PUSCHs may be in a common CC or BWP configured with CORESETs associated with two CORESETPoolIndex values. The two patterns may be RRC-configured with two “InvalidsymbolPattern” associated with the two CORESETPoolIndex values (e.g., corresponding to the two TRPs102), such as for transmission of PUSCH with repetition Type B. For example, the patterns are used for determination of actual PUSCH repetitions by removing the invalid symbols indicated therein.

At1004, the TRPs102transmits signaling that schedules the UE104to transmit a first PUSCH with repetitions and at least a second PUSCH. The first PUSCH and the second PUSCH may be in common CCs or BWPs. The first PUSCH may be scheduled by a DCI, which may include corresponding parameters associated with the at least two patterns. For example, the corresponding parameters may include a CORESET pool index value for CORESET configuration. In some cases, the corresponding parameters may include an indication of a transmission group (e.g., a UE group); a sounding reference signal (SRS) resource set; an identification of UE panel; an indication of a UE beam group, or any combination of these parameters.

At1006, the UE determines which of the at least two patterns to apply when transmitting the first and the second PUSCH. In one example, depending on the corresponding parameters (e.g., the CORESET pool index value) in association of PUSCH, the UE may determine, by selecting, one of the at least two patterns to apply. In another example, the UE may determine that any combination, none, or all of the at least two patterns may be applied. At1008, the UE transmits the first and the second PUSCH respectively to the TRPs.

FIG.11is an example application of one of at least two invalid symbol patterns to a PUSCH repetition, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. In this example, only one of the two patterns may be selected and applied to the PUSCH transmission, depending on the association of the PUSCH with a corresponding parameter, such as the CORESETPoolIndex value. After the determination or selection, the UE may or may not actually apply the pattern based on conditions related to scheduling and/or values in an indicator field (e.g., as aforementioned in relation toFIG.6).

First, each of the at least two patterns may be respectively associated with a corresponding parameter scheduled or activated by DCI signaling, which corresponds to one of the multi-TRPs. For example, in the case when the PUSCH is dynamically scheduled (e.g., for dynamic grant (DG), or activated (for Type 2 configured grant (CG)) by a DCI received in a CORESET associated with a given CORESETPoolIndex value, the pattern associated with the same CORESETPoolIndex value may be selected or considered. As shown inFIG.11, two patterns are signaled to the UE: a first pattern (i.e., the first InvalidSymbolPattern) associated with a CORESET pool index value of 0; and a second pattern (i.e., the second InvalidSymbolPattern) associated with a CORESET pool index value of 1. The uplink DCI includes an invalid symbol indicator, which has a value of 1. The UE detects the scheduling DCI, in a CORESET associated or configured with a CORESET pool index value of 1. As such, the UE determines that the second pattern should be applied upon determining the CORESET pool index value being 1.

Upon determining/selecting the pattern, if the DCI (e.g., DCI format 0_1 or format 0_2) is configured to include an invalid symbol indicator field (e.g., the invalid symbol indictor in the UL DCI ofFIG.11), then whether to apply the pattern depends on the value in the invalid symbol indicator field. For example, if the field is set to 1 (as shown), then the selected pattern is applied; otherwise, if the bit is set to 0, then the selected pattern is not applied. On the other hand, if the DCI (e.g., DCI format 0_1 or format 0_2) is not configured to include the invalid symbol indicator field, then the selected pattern may be applied anyways.

Second, each of the at least two patterns may be respectively associated with a corresponding parameter that is configured and/or periodically transmitted by RRC signaling (not shown but similar to the UL DCI signaling ofFIG.11). For example, in the case when the PUSCH is a Type 1 CG (i.e., configured and periodically transmitted by RRC), the pattern associated with the same CORESET pool index value may be selected when the associated CORESETPoolIndex value is RRC configured for that CG configuration. Alternatively, an RRC parameter under each CG configuration may select or identify one of the at least two patterns, such as by identifying from {a first pattern, a second pattern, etc.} to signal the UE which of the at least two patterns to apply. When such RRC parameter is not configured, then none of the patterns may be selected or applied.

FIG.12is an example application of two invalid symbol patterns to a PUSCH repetition, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. In this example, both of two patterns may be selected and applied to the PUSCH transmission. Although the illustration provides an example of applying both patterns, the same method may be used for applying none or one of the two patterns. Similar to the options presented inFIG.11above, the determination of which pattern to be selected or applied may be based on signaling via a DCI or RRC.

First, when the PUSCH is dynamically scheduled (for DG) or activated (for Type 2 CG) by a DCI, the DCI may have an increased size to be configured to include two bits for the invalid symbol indicator field. The two-bit invalid symbol indicator field may then indicate whether each of the first or second patterns should be applied or not. That is, the two bits may indicate four different possibilities: “00” indicating applying neither patterns, “01” or “10” respectively indicating applying the first pattern or the second pattern, and “11” indicating applying both patterns.

Alternatively, as shown inFIG.12, the DCI may maintain (or continue to use) a 1-bit size to indicate whether to apply the pattern associated with the other CORESET pool index value. For example, the pattern that is associated with the same CORESETPoolIndex value as the CORESETPoolIndex value of the CORESET in which the DCI is received is always applied. Whether the other pattern (associated with the other CORESETPoolIndex value) is applied or not is indicated by the 1-bit invalid symbol indicator field (e.g., “0” indicating not applying, and “1” indicating applying).

As shown inFIG.12, the UE detects in a CORESET with CORESET pool index value being “1.” Because the first invalid symbol pattern is associated with the same CORESET in which the DCI is received, the UE applies the second invalid symbol pattern since the associated CORESET pool index value is “1.” The UE determines to apply the first pattern because the first pattern is associated with a CORESET pool index value of “0.” The UL DCI is configured to include the 1-bit invalid symbol indicator field, and is set to “1,” indicating the application of the first pattern (the pattern associated with the other CORESETPoolIndex value). Upon applying both patterns, the symbols indicated invalid in both patterns are removed from the PUSCH with repetition. Further, the nominal repetitions with only one symbol are omitted from the PUSCH transmission, as indicated inFIG.12. In a different scenario, the UE applies only the first pattern if the invalid symbol indicator has a value of “0” instead of “1,” indicating not to apply the second pattern.

In the cases when the DCI is not configured to include the invalid symbol indicator field, the UE may determine based on default settings or behaviors. For example, the UE may be configured to apply both patterns by default. In another case, the UE may be configured to apply, by default, the pattern that is associated with the same CORESETPoolIndex value as the CORESET pool index value of the CORESET in which the DCI is received (similar to the case above inFIG.11). In some cases, the UE may be configured to apply none of the patterns by default.

Second, when the PUSCH is a Type 1 CG (configured and periodically transmitted by RRC), the invalid symbol pattern(s) to be applied (one of them or both of them) may be RRC configured for that CG configuration (e.g., indicated by a corresponding parameter). For example, a parameter in RRC signaling under each CG configuration may select or indicate one of {the first pattern, the second pattern, none of the patterns} to have the UE to determine which of the patterns to apply accordingly. If such selection is not configured in the RRC signaling, then both of the patterns are to be applied by default. Different default behavior may be configured.

In another example, the parameter in RRC signaling under each CG configuration may select or indicate one of {the second pattern, both patterns, none of the patterns} for the UE. If such selection is not configured, then the first pattern is applied. In another example, the parameter in RRC signaling under each CG configuration may select or indicate one of {the first pattern, the second pattern, both patterns} for the UE. If such selection is not configured, then none of patterns is applied. Similar use of the RRC parameter may be applied when more than two patterns are provided to the UE.

The examples in bothFIGS.11and12rely on the association of the first or second patterns with the first or second CORESETPoolIndex values, which are considered as corresponding parameters. In other scenarios, the corresponding parameters may use different values or associations. For example, the first or second invalid symbol patterns may be associated with a first or second transmission group in general. Such that each PUSCH is associated with first or second group, and hence, the respective selection of patterns based on the techniques above can be applied (e.g., in applying one, both, or none of the patterns). For example, the CORESETPoolIndex values (0 or 1) in the examples inFIGS.11and12may be replaced with a first or a second group.

Similarly, the corresponding parameters may include a first or a second SRS resource set to indicate which pattern to apply, as each PUSCH is also associated with a given SRS resource set as indicated in the scheduling/activating DCI or configured per CG configuration (for Type 1), or the SRS resource set may also be determined based on CORESETPoolIndex value. In other example, the CORESETPoolIndex values maybe replaced with a first or a second UE panel ID, or a first or a second UL beam group, among other parameter implementations.

Example Wireless Communication Devices

FIG.13illustrates a communications device1300that may include various components (e.g., corresponding to means-plus-function components) configured to perform operations for the techniques disclosed herein, such as the operations illustrated inFIG.8. In some cases, the communications device1300may include the UE104illustrated inFIG.1andFIG.2.

Communications device1300includes a processing system1305coupled to a transceiver1365(e.g., a transmitter and/or a receiver). Transceiver1365is configured to transmit and receive signals for the communications device1300via an antenna1370, such as the various signals as described herein. Processing system1305may be configured to perform processing functions for communications device1300, including processing signals received and/or to be transmitted by communications device1300. The transceiver1365can include one or more components of UE104with reference toFIG.2such as, for example, transceiver254, TX MIMO processor266, transmit processor264, receive processor258, MIMO detector256, and/or the like.

Processing system1305includes a processor1310coupled to a computer-readable medium/memory1335via a bus1360. In certain aspects, computer-readable medium/memory1335is configured to store instructions (e.g., computer-executable code) that when executed by processor1310, cause processor1310to perform the operations illustrated inFIG.8, or other operations for performing the various techniques discussed herein for modifying a configured repetition pattern to avoid segmentation of nominal repetitions into multiple actual repetitions. In some cases, the processor1310can include one or more components of UE104with reference toFIG.2such as, for example, controller/processor280(including the symbol pattern configuration component281), transmit processor264, receive processor258, and/or the like. Additionally, in some cases, the computer-readable medium/memory1335can include one or more components of UE104with reference toFIG.2such as, for example, memory282and/or the like.

In some cases, the code1340for receiving may include code for receiving signaling configuring the UE with at least two patterns, each of the at least two patterns indicating one or more symbols considered invalid for PUSCH repetition transmission and code for receiving signaling scheduling the UE to transmit a first PUSCH with repetition and at least a second PUSCH.

In some cases, the code1345for determining may include code for determining which of the at least two patterns to apply when transmitting the first and second PUSCH and code for determining based on a value in an invalid symbol indicator field. The value may indicate any combination or none of the at least two patterns.

In some cases, code1350for transmitting may include code for transmitting the first PUSCH and second PUSCH in accordance with the determination.

In some cases, code1355for selecting may include code for selecting one of the at least two patterns based on a corresponding parameter associated with one of the first PUSCH with repetition dynamically scheduled or activated by the DCI or code for selecting one of the at least two patterns based on a corresponding parameter value associated with one of the first PUSCH with repetition of a Type 1 configured grant (CG).

In some cases, the circuitry1315for receiving may include circuitry for receiving signaling configuring the UE with at least two patterns, each of the at least two patterns indicating one or more symbols considered invalid for PUSCH repetition transmission and circuitry for receiving signaling scheduling the UE to transmit a first PUSCH with repetition and at least a second PUSCH.

In some cases, the circuitry1320for determining may include circuitry for determining which of the at least two patterns to apply when transmitting the first and second PUSCH and circuitry for determining based on a value in an invalid symbol indicator field. The value may indicate any combination or none of the at least two patterns.

In some cases, circuitry1325for transmitting may include circuitry for transmitting the first PUSCH and second PUSCH in accordance with the determination.

In some cases, circuitry1330for selecting may include circuitry for selecting one of the at least two patterns based on a corresponding parameter associated with one of the first PUSCH with repetition dynamically scheduled or activated by the DCI or circuitry for selecting one of the at least two patterns based on a corresponding parameter value associated with one of the first PUSCH with repetition of a Type 1 configured grant (CG).

In some examples, means for determining may include the controller/processor280and/or the symbol pattern configuration component281of the UE104illustrated inFIG.2, and/or circuitry1320for determining of the communication device1300inFIG.13.

In some examples, means for selecting may include the controller/processor280and/or the symbol pattern configuration component281of the UE104illustrated inFIG.2, and/or circuitry1330for selecting of the communication device1300inFIG.13.

In some examples, means for receiving or transmitting may include the transmitter unit254and/or antenna(s)252of the UE104illustrated inFIG.2and/or the transceiver1365, circuitry1315for receiving or circuitry1325for transmitting of the communication device1300inFIG.13.

FIG.14illustrates a communications device1400that may include various components (e.g., corresponding to means-plus-function components) configured to perform operations for the techniques disclosed herein, such as the operations illustrated inFIG.9. In some cases, the communications device1400may include the BS102illustrated inFIG.1andFIG.2.

Communications device1400includes a processing system1405coupled to a transceiver1465(e.g., a transmitter and/or a receiver). Transceiver1465is configured to transmit and receive signals for the communications device1400via an antenna1470, such as the various signals as described herein. Processing system1405may be configured to perform processing functions for communications device1400, including processing signals received and/or to be transmitted by communications device1400. The transceiver1465can include one or more components of BS102with reference toFIG.2such as, for example, transceiver232, TX MIMO processor230, transmit processor220, receive processor238, MIMO detector236, and/or the like.

Processing system1405includes a processor1410coupled to a computer-readable medium/memory1435via a bus1460. In certain aspects, computer-readable medium/memory1435is configured to store instructions (e.g., computer-executable code) that when executed by processor1410, cause processor1410to perform the operations illustrated inFIG.9, or other operations for performing the various techniques discussed herein for determining which patterns to apply in PUSCH with repetitions. In some cases, the processor1410can include one or more components of BS102with reference toFIG.2such as, for example, controller/processor240(including the symbol pattern configuration component241), transmit processor220, receive processor238, and/or the like. Additionally, in some cases, the computer-readable medium/memory1435can include one or more components of BS102with reference toFIG.2such as, for example, memory242and/or the like.

In some cases, the code1440for transmitting may include code for transmitting signaling configuring a UE with at least two patterns, each of the at least two patterns indicating one or more symbols considered invalid for PUSCH repetition transmission and code for transmitting signaling scheduling the UE to transmit a first PUSCH with repetition and at least a second PUSCH.

In some cases, the code1445for determining may include code for determining which of the at least two patterns to apply when receiving the first and second PUSCH.

In some cases, the code1450for receiving may include code for receiving the first PUSCH and second PUSCH in accordance with the determination.

In some cases, the code1455for providing may include code for providing a value in an invalid symbol indicator field, such as in a DCI. The value may indicate any combination or none of the at least two patterns, and code for providing a corresponding parameter value associated with one of the first PUSCH with repetition of a Type 1 CG via RRC signaling.

In some cases, the circuitry1415for transmitting may include circuitry for transmitting signaling configuring a UE with at least two patterns, each of the at least two patterns indicating one or more symbols considered invalid for PUSCH repetition transmission and circuitry for transmitting signaling scheduling the UE to transmit a first PUSCH with repetition and at least a second PUSCH.

In some cases, the circuitry1420for determining may include circuitry for determining which of the at least two patterns to apply when receiving the first and second PUSCH.

In some cases, the circuitry1425for receiving may include circuitry for receiving the first PUSCH and second PUSCH in accordance with the determination.

In some cases, the circuitry1430for providing may include circuitry for providing a value in an invalid symbol indicator field, such as in a DCI. The value may indicate any combination or none of the at least two patterns, and circuitry for providing a corresponding parameter value associated with one of the first PUSCH with repetition of a Type 1 CG via RRC signaling . . . .

In some examples, means for transmitting and receiving may include a transmitter or receiver, and/or an antenna(s)234and/or the controller/processor240of the BS102illustrated inFIG.2and/or the transceiver1465, circuitry1415for transmitting, or circuitry1425for receiving of the communication device1400inFIG.14.

In some examples, means for determining may include a controller or processor240of the BS102illustrated inFIG.2and/or circuitry1420for determining of the communication device1400inFIG.14.

In some examples, means for providing may include a controller or processor240or the scheduler244of the BS102illustrated inFIG.2and/or circuitry1430for providing of the communication device1400inFIG.14.

Additional Wireless Communication Network Considerations

The techniques and methods described herein may be used for various wireless communications networks (or wireless wide area network (W WAN)) and radio access technologies (RATs). While aspects may be described herein using terminology commonly associated with 3G, 4G, and/or 5G (e.g., 5G new radio (NR)) wireless technologies, aspects of the present disclosure may likewise be applicable to other communication systems and standards not explicitly mentioned herein.

5G wireless communication networks may support various advanced wireless communication services, such as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), millimeter wave (mmW), machine type communications (MTC), and/or mission critical targeting ultra-reliable, low-latency communications (URLLC). These services, and others, may include latency and reliability requirements.

Returning toFIG.1, various aspects of the present disclosure may be performed within the example wireless communication network100.

In 3GPP, the term “cell” can refer to a coverage area of a Node B (NB) and/or a NB subsystem serving this coverage area, depending on the context in which the term is used. In NR systems, the term “cell” and BS, next generation NodeB (gNB or gNodeB), access point (AP), distributed unit (DU), carrier, or transmission reception point (TRP) may be used interchangeably. A BS may provide communication coverage for a macro cell, a pico cell, a femto cell, and/or other types of cells.

A macro cell may generally cover a relatively large geographic area (e.g., several kilometers in radius) and may allow unrestricted access by UEs with service subscription. A pico cell may cover a relatively small geographic area and may allow unrestricted access by UEs with service subscription. A femto cell may cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a home) and may allow restricted access by UEs having an association with the femto cell (e.g., UEs in a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG), UEs for users in the home, etc.). A BS for a macro cell may be referred to as a macro BS. A BS for a pico cell may be referred to as a pico BS. A BS for a femto cell may be referred to as a femto BS or a home BS.

Some base stations, such as gNB180may operate in a traditional sub-6 GHz spectrum, in millimeter wave (mmW) frequencies, and/or near mmW frequencies in communication with the UE104. When the gNB180operates in mmW or near mmW frequencies, the gNB180may be referred to as an mmW base station.

The communication links120between base stations102and, for example, UEs104, may be through one or more carriers. For example, base stations102and UEs104may use spectrum up to Y MHz (e.g., 5, 10, 15, 20, 100, 400, etc. MHz) bandwidth per carrier allocated in a carrier aggregation of up to a total of Yx MHz (x component carriers) used for transmission in each direction. The carriers may or may not be adjacent to each other. Allocation of carriers may be asymmetric with respect to DL and UL (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated for DL than for UL). The component carriers may include a primary component carrier and one or more secondary component carriers. A primary component carrier may be referred to as a primary cell (PCell) and a secondary component carrier may be referred to as a secondary cell (SCell).

Wireless communications system100further includes a Wi-Fi access point (AP)150in communication with Wi-Fi stations (STAs)152via communication links154in, for example, a 2.4 GHz and/or 5 GHz unlicensed frequency spectrum. When communicating in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, the STAs152/AP150may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) prior to communicating in order to determine whether the channel is available.

EPC160may include a Mobility Management Entity (MME)162, other MMES164, a Serving Gateway166, a Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) Gateway168, a Broadcast Multicast Service Center (BM-SC)170, and a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway172. MME162may be in communication with a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)174. MME162is the control node that processes the signaling between the UEs104and the EPC160. Generally, MME162provides bearer and connection management.

Core network190may include an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF)192, other AMFs193, a Session Management Function (SMF)194, and a User Plane Function (UPF)195. AMF192may be in communication with a Unified Data Management (UDM)196.

AMF192is generally the control node that processes the signaling between UEs104and core network190. Generally, AMF192provides QoS flow and session management.

All user Internet protocol (IP) packets are transferred through UPF195, which is connected to the IP Services197, and which provides UE IP address allocation as well as other functions for core network190. IP Services197may include, for example, the Internet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), a PS Streaming Service, and/or other IP services.

Returning toFIG.2, various example components of BS102and UE104(e.g., the wireless communication network100ofFIG.1) are depicted, which may be used to implement aspects of the present disclosure.

At BS102, a transmit processor220may receive data from a data source212and control information from a controller/processor240. The control information may be for the physical broadcast channel (PBCH), physical control format indicator channel (PCFICH), physical hybrid ARQ indicator channel (PHICH), physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), group common PDCCH (GC PDCCH), etc. The data may be for the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), etc.

A medium access control (MAC)-control element (MAC-CE) is a MAC layer communication structure that may be used for control command exchange between wireless nodes. The MAC-CE may be carried in a shared channel such as a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), or a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH).

Processor220may process (e.g., encode and symbol map) the data and control information to obtain data symbols and control symbols, respectively. Transmit processor220may also generate reference symbols, such as for the primary synchronization signal (PSS), secondary synchronization signal (SSS), PBCH demodulation reference signal (DMRS), and channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS).

At UE104, antennas252a-252rmay receive the downlink signals from the BS102and may provide received signals to the demodulators (DEMODs) in transceivers254a-254r, respectively. Each demodulator in transceivers254a-254rmay condition (e.g., filter, amplify, downconvert, and digitize) a respective received signal to obtain input samples. Each demodulator may further process the input samples (e.g., for OFDM, etc.) to obtain received symbols.

MIMO detector256may obtain received symbols from all the demodulators in transceivers254a-254r, perform MIMO detection on the received symbols if applicable, and provide detected symbols. Receive processor258may process (e.g., demodulate, deinterleave, and decode) the detected symbols, provide decoded data for the UE104to a data sink260, and provide decoded control information to a controller/processor280.

On the uplink, at UE104, transmit processor264may receive and process data (e.g., for the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)) from a data source262and control information (e.g., for the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) from the controller/processor280. Transmit processor264may also generate reference symbols for a reference signal (e.g., for the sounding reference signal (SRS)). The symbols from the transmit processor264may be precoded by a TX MIMO processor266if applicable, further processed by the modulators in transceivers254a-254r(e.g., for SC-FDM, etc.), and transmitted to BS102.

At BS102, the uplink signals from UE104may be received by antennas234a-t, processed by the demodulators in transceivers232a-232t, detected by a MIMO detector236if applicable, and further processed by a receive processor238to obtain decoded data and control information sent by UE104. Receive processor238may provide the decoded data to a data sink239and the decoded control information to the controller/processor240.

Memories242and282may store data and program codes for BS102and UE104, respectively.

Scheduler244may schedule UEs for data transmission on the downlink and/or uplink.

For example, as shown inFIG.2, the controller/processor240of the BS102has symbol pattern configuration component241that may be configured to perform the operations shown inFIG.9, as well as other operations described herein for determining which patterns to apply in PUSCH with repetitions. As shown inFIG.2, the controller/processor280of the UE104has a symbol pattern configuration component281that may be configured to perform the operations shown inFIG.8, as well as other operations described herein for determining which patterns to apply in PUSCH with repetitions. Although shown at the controller/processor, other components of UE104and BS102may be used to perform the operations described herein.

As above,FIGS.3A-3Ddepict various example aspects of data structures for a wireless communication network, such as wireless communication network100ofFIG.1.

In various aspects, the 5G frame structure may be frequency division duplex (FDD), in which for a particular set of subcarriers (carrier system bandwidth), subframes within the set of subcarriers are dedicated for either DL or UL. 5G frame structures may also be time division duplex (TDD), in which for a particular set of subcarriers (carrier system bandwidth), subframes within the set of subcarriers are dedicated for both DL and UL. In the examples provided byFIGS.3A and3C, the 5G frame structure is assumed to be TDD, with subframe4being configured with slot format 28 (with mostly DL), where D is DL, U is UL, and X is flexible for use between DL/UL, and subframe3being configured with slot format 34 (with mostly UL). While subframes3,4are shown with slot formats34,28, respectively, any particular subframe may be configured with any of the various available slot formats0-61. Slot formats0,1are all DL, UL, respectively. Other slot formats2-61include a mix of DL, UL, and flexible symbols. UEs are configured with the slot format (dynamically through DL control information (DCI), or semi-statically/statically through radio resource control (RRC) signaling) through a received slot format indicator (SFI). Note that the description below applies also to a 5G frame structure that is TDD.

Other wireless communication technologies may have a different frame structure and/or different channels. A frame (10 ms) may be divided into 10 equally sized subframes (1 ms). Each subframe may include one or more time slots. Subframes may also include mini-slots, which may include 7, 4, or 2 symbols. In some examples, each slot may include 7 or 14 symbols, depending on the slot configuration.

For example, for slot configuration0, each slot may include 14 symbols, and for slot configuration1, each slot may include 7 symbols. The symbols on DL may be cyclic prefix (CP) OFDM (CP-OFDM) symbols. The symbols on UL may be CP-OFDM symbols (for high throughput scenarios) or discrete Fourier transform (DFT) spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) symbols (also referred to as single carrier frequency-division multiple access (SC-FDMA) symbols) (for power limited scenarios; limited to a single stream transmission).

As illustrated inFIG.3A, some of the REs carry reference (pilot) signals (RS) for a UE (e.g., UE104ofFIGS.1and2). The RS may include demodulation RS (DM-RS) (indicated as Rx for one particular configuration, where100xis the port number, but other DM-RS configurations are possible) and channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS) for channel estimation at the UE. The RS may also include beam measurement RS (BRS), beam refinement RS (BRRS), and phase tracking RS (PT-RS).

FIG.3Billustrates an example of various DL channels within a subframe of a frame. The physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) carries DCI within one or more control channel elements (CCEs), each CCE including nine RE groups (REGs), each REG including four consecutive REs in an OFDM symbol.

A primary synchronization signal (PSS) may be within symbol2of particular subframes of a frame. The PSS is used by a UE (e.g.,104ofFIGS.1and2) to determine subframe/symbol timing and a physical layer identity.

A secondary synchronization signal (SSS) may be within symbol4of particular subframes of a frame. The SSS is used by a UE to determine a physical layer cell identity group number and radio frame timing.

Technical Additional Considerations

The methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions for achieving the methods. The method steps and/or actions may be interchanged with one another. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is specified, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified.

The various operations of methods described above may be performed by any suitable means capable of performing the corresponding functions. The means may include various hardware and/or software component(s) and/or module(s), including, but not limited to a circuit, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a processor (e.g., a general purpose or specifically programmed processor).

It is to be understood that the claims are not limited to the precise configuration and components illustrated herein. Various modifications, changes and variations may be made in the arrangement, operation, and details of the methods and apparatus described herein.

Example Aspects

Implementation examples are described in the following numbered aspects:

Aspect 1: A method for wireless communications by a user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving signaling configuring the UE with at least two patterns, each of the at least two patterns indicating one or more symbols considered invalid for physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) repetition transmission; receiving signaling scheduling the UE to transmit a first PUSCH with repetition and at least a second PUSCH; determining which of the at least two patterns to apply when transmitting the first and second PUSCH; and transmitting the first PUSCH and second PUSCH in accordance with the determination.

Aspect 2: The method of Aspect 1, wherein the first PUSCH with repetition and the second PUSCH are in common component carriers (CCs) or bandwidth parts (BWPs).

Aspect 3: The method of Aspect 1, wherein the at least second PUSCH at least partially overlaps in time with the first PUSCH with repetition.

Aspect 4: The method of Aspect 1, wherein the first PUSCH with repetition is scheduled by a downlink control information (DCI), and wherein the at least two patterns are associated with corresponding parameters for the first PUSCH with repetition and the second PUSCH.

Aspect 5: The method of Aspect 4, wherein the corresponding parameters comprises at least one of: control resource set (CORESET) pool index values for CORESET configuration; indication of a transmission group; a sounding reference signal (SRS) resource set; identification of UE panel; or indication of a UE beam group.

Aspect 6: The method of Aspect 4, wherein determining which of the at least two patterns to apply comprises: selecting one of the at least two patterns based on a corresponding parameter associated with one of the first PUSCH with repetition dynamically scheduled or activated by the DCI.

Aspect 7: The method of Aspect 6, wherein the DCI includes an invalid symbol indicator field indicating whether to apply the selected one of the at least two patterns based on the corresponding parameter associated with one of the first PUSCH with repetition.

Aspect 8: The method of Aspect 6, further comprising determining to apply the one of the at least two patterns when the DCI does not include an invalid symbol indicator field.

Aspect 9: The method of Aspect 4, wherein determining which of the at least two patterns to apply comprises: determining based on a value in an invalid symbol indicator field in the DCI, wherein the value indicates any combination or none of the at least two patterns.

Aspect 10: The method of Aspect 9, wherein, when the at least two patterns comprise two patterns, the value includes a two bit value for indicating: none of the at least two patterns to be applied; a first of the two patterns to be applied; a second of the two patterns to be applied; or both of the two patterns to be applied.

Aspect 11: The method of Aspect 9, wherein, when the at least two patterns comprises two patterns, determining which of the at least two patterns to apply comprises: always applying a first one of the two patterns associated with a first one of the corresponding parameters corresponding to the DCI; and wherein the value includes a one bit value for indicating: whether to apply, based on the one bit value, a second one of the at least two patterns associated with a second one of the corresponding parameters not corresponding to the DCI.

Aspect 12: The method of Aspect 4, wherein determining which of the at least two patterns to apply comprises: determining to apply all or none of the at least two patterns when the DCI does not provide a relevant indication.

Aspect 13: The method of Aspect 1, wherein receiving signaling configuring the UE with at least two patterns comprises: receiving the at least two patterns via radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

Aspect 14: The method of Aspect 1, wherein determining which of the at least two patterns to apply comprises: selecting one of the at least two patterns based on a corresponding parameter value associated with one of the first PUSCH with repetition of a Type 1 configured grant (CG).

Aspect 15: The method of Aspect 14, wherein the one of the at least two patterns is associated with the corresponding parameter value configured for the one of the first PUSCH with repetition via radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

Aspect 16: The method of Aspect 15, wherein the RRC signaling comprises a parameter that, when configured for each CG configuration, explicitly indicates a selection of the at least two patterns; or when not configured for each CG configuration, implicitly indicates a remainder of the at least two patterns.

Aspect 17: The method of Aspect 15, wherein the RRC signaling configures the first PUSCH with repetition, and includes a pattern identification parameter, for each CG configuration, identifying one of the at least two patterns.

Aspect 18: The method of Aspect 17, determining which of the at least two patterns to apply comprises: determining to apply none of the at least two patterns when the pattern identification parameter does not identify any of the at least two patterns.

Aspect 19: A method for wireless communications by at least two network entities, comprising: transmitting signaling configuring a user equipment (UE) with at least two patterns, each of the at least two patterns indicating one or more symbols considered invalid for physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) repetition transmission; transmitting signaling scheduling the UE to transmit a first PUSCH with repetition and at least a second PUSCH; determining which of the at least two patterns to apply when receiving the first and second PUSCH; and receiving the first PUSCH and second PUSCH in accordance with the determination.

Aspect 20: The method of Aspect 19, wherein the first PUSCH with repetition is scheduled by a downlink control information (DCI), and wherein the at least two patterns are associated with corresponding parameters for the first PUSCH with repetition and the second PUSCH.

Aspect 21: The method of Aspect 20, wherein the corresponding parameters comprises at least one of: control resource set (CORESET) pool index values for CORESET configuration; indication of a transmission group; a sounding reference signal (SRS) resource set; identification of UE panel; or indication of a UE beam group.

Aspect 22: The method of Aspect 20, wherein determining which of the at least two patterns to apply comprises: indicating one of the at least two patterns using a corresponding parameter associated with one of the first PUSCH with repetition dynamically scheduled or activated by the DCI.

Aspect 23: The method of Aspect 20, wherein determining which of the at least two patterns to apply comprises: providing a value in an invalid symbol indicator field in the DCI, wherein the value indicates any combination or none of the at least two patterns.

Aspect 24: The method of Aspect 19, wherein determining which of the at least two patterns to apply comprises: providing a corresponding parameter value associated with one of the first PUSCH with repetition of a Type 1 configured grant (CG) via radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

Aspect 25: The method of Aspect 24, further comprising associating the corresponding parameter value with the one of the at least two patterns for the one of the first PUSCH with repetition.

Aspect 26: The method of Aspect 25, wherein the RRC signaling comprises a parameter that, when configured for each CG configuration, explicitly indicates a selection of the at least two patterns; or when not configured for each CG configuration, implicitly indicates a remainder of the at least two patterns.

Aspect 27: The method of Aspect 24, wherein the RRC signaling configures the first PUSCH with repetition, and includes a pattern identification parameter, for each CG configuration, identifying one of the at least two patterns.

Aspect 28: The method of Aspect 27, determining which of the at least two patterns to apply comprises: determining to apply none of the at least two patterns when the pattern identification parameter does not identify any of the at least two patterns.

Aspect 29: An apparatus, comprising: a memory comprising computer-executable instructions and one or more processors configured to execute the computer-executable instructions and cause the one or more processors to perform a method in accordance with any one of Aspects 1-28.

Aspect 30: An apparatus, comprising means for performing a method in accordance with any one of Aspects 1-28.

Aspect 31: A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform a method in accordance with any one of Aspects 1-28.

Aspect 32: A computer program product embodied on a computer-readable storage medium comprising code for performing a method in accordance with any one of Aspects 1-28.