Beam indication information transmission

Technology for user equipment (UE) operable to decode beam indication related information received from a New Radio (NR) base station in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) is disclosed. The UE can decode a transmission configuration indication (TCI) received in a downlink control information (DCI) from the NR base station on a scheduling physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in a scheduled bandwidth part (BWP) or a scheduled component carrier (CC). The UE can decode a scheduling offset received from the NR base station, wherein the scheduling offset is an offset time for reception of beam indication related information in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). The UE can decode the beam indication related information received from the NR base station in the PDSCH on the scheduled BWP or the scheduled CC at a time period greater than or equal to the scheduling offset relative to the PDCCH transmission.

BACKGROUND

Wireless systems typically include multiple User Equipment (UE) devices communicatively coupled to one or more Base Stations (BS). The one or more BSs may be Long Term Evolved (LTE) evolved NodeBs (eNB) or New Radio (NR) next generation NodeBs (gNB) that can be communicatively coupled to one or more UEs by a Third-Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) network.

Next generation wireless communication systems are expected to be a unified network/system that is targeted to meet vastly different and sometimes conflicting performance dimensions and services. New Radio Access Technology (RAT) is expected to support a broad range of use cases including Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC), Mission Critical Machine Type Communication (uMTC), and similar service types operating in frequency ranges up to 100 GHz.

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the technology is thereby intended.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Definitions

As used herein, the term “User Equipment (UE)” refers to a computing device capable of wireless digital communication such as a smart phone, a tablet computing device, a laptop computer, a multimedia device such as an iPod Touch®, or other type computing device that provides text or voice communication. The term “User Equipment (UE)” may also be referred to as a “mobile device,” “wireless device,” of “wireless mobile device.”

As used herein, the term “Base Station (BS)” includes “Base Transceiver Stations (BTS),” “NodeBs,” “evolved NodeBs (eNodeB or eNB),” “New Radio Base Stations (NR BS) and/or “next generation NodeBs (gNodeB or gNB),” and refers to a device or configured node of a mobile phone network that communicates wirelessly with UEs.

As used herein, the term “cellular telephone network,” “4G cellular,” “Long Term Evolved (LTE),” “5G cellular” and/or “New Radio (NR)” refers to wireless broadband technology developed by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).

Example Embodiments

FIG. 1provides an example of a 3GPP NR Release 15 frame structure. In particular,FIG. 1illustrates a downlink radio frame structure. In the example, a radio frame100of a signal used to transmit the data can be configured to have a duration, Tf, of 10 milliseconds (ms). Each radio frame can be segmented or divided into ten subframes110ithat are each 1 ms long. Each subframe can be further subdivided into one or multiple slots120a,120i, and120x, each with a duration, Tslot, of 1/μms, where μ=1 for 15 kHz subcarrier spacing, μ=2 for 30 kHz, μ=4 for 60 kHz, μ=8 for 120 kHz, and u=16 for 240 kHz. Each slot can include a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and/or a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

Each slot for a component carrier (CC) used by the node and the wireless device can include multiple resource blocks (RBs)130a,130b,130i,130m, and130nbased on the CC frequency bandwidth. The CC can have a carrier frequency having a bandwidth. Each slot of the CC can include downlink control information (DCI) found in the PDCCH. The PDCCH is transmitted in control channel resource set (CORESET) which can include one, two or three Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols and multiple RBs.

Each RB (physical RB or PRB) can include 12 subcarriers (on the frequency axis) and 14 orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols (on the time axis) per slot. The RB can use 14 OFDM symbols if a short or normal cyclic prefix is employed. The RB can use 12 OFDM symbols if an extended cyclic prefix is used. The resource block can be mapped to 168 resource elements (REs) using short or normal cyclic prefixing, or the resource block can be mapped to 144 REs (not shown) using extended cyclic prefixing. The RE can be a unit of one OFDM symbol142by one subcarrier (i.e., 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz, 120 kHz, and 240 kHz)146.

Each RE140ican transmit two bits150aand150bof information in the case of quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) modulation. Other types of modulation may be used, such as 16 quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) or 64 QAM to transmit a greater number of bits in each RE, or bi-phase shift keying (BPSK) modulation to transmit a lesser number of bits (a single bit) in each RE. The RB can be configured for a downlink transmission from the eNodeB to the UE, or the RB can be configured for an uplink transmission from the UE to the eNodeB.

This example of the 3GPP NR Release 15 frame structure provides examples of the way in which data is transmitted, or the transmission mode. The example is not intended to be limiting. Many of the Release 15 features will evolve and change in the 5G frame structures included in 3GPP LTE Release 15, MulteFire Release 1.1, and beyond. In such a system, the design constraint can be on co-existence with multiple 5G numerologies in the same carrier due to the coexistence of different network services, such as eMBB (enhanced Mobile Broadband), mMTC (massive Machine Type Communications or massive IoT) and URLLC (Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications or Critical Communications). The carrier in a 5G system can be above or below 6 GHz. In one embodiment, each network service can have a different numerology.

In one configuration, in a 5G system, a base station (or gNB) and a UE can both maintain a plurality of beams. The UE can use one particular receiving (Rx) beam to receive one gNB transmitting (Tx) beam in order to obtain a favorable link budget. Then, beam indication related information on the gNB Tx beam can be used for the UE to select its Rx beam. In previous solutions, such beam indication related information for a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) can be carried by downlink control information (DCI).

As described in further detail below, a UE can receive beam indication related information from a NR base station in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). The UE can receive a transmission configuration indication (TCI) in a downlink control information (DCI) from the NR base station on a scheduling physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in a scheduled bandwidth part (BWP) or a scheduled component carrier (CC). Cross-carrier scheduling for the scheduled BPW or the scheduled CC can be used for the UE in a NR network. The UE can receive a scheduling offset from the NR base station. The scheduling offset can be an offset time for reception of beam indication related information in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). The UE can receive the beam indication related information from the NR base station in the PDSCH on the scheduled BWP or the scheduled CC at a time period greater than or equal to the scheduling offset relative to the PDCCH transmission. The UE can determine a quasi-co location (QCL) for reception of the beam indication related information in the PDSCH based on the TCI, when the time period is greater than or equal to the scheduling offset relative for the PDCCH transmission.

FIG. 2illustrates an example of a beam indication framework when a transmission configuration indication (TCI) is present. When a scheduling offset is below a threshold, a PDSCH beam can follow a latest control resource set (CORESET) beam (e.g., CORESET 1). Otherwise, when a TCI (which is used for beam indication) is present (e.g., TCI=0) in a scheduling physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), the PDSCH beam can follow the indicated TCI (e.g., the TCI 0 beam can be followed).

FIG. 3illustrates an example of a beam indication framework when a transmission configuration indication (TCI) is not present. When a scheduling offset is below a threshold, a PDSCH beam can follow a latest control resource set (CORESET) beam (e.g., CORESET 1). Otherwise, when a TCI (which is used for beam indication) is not present in a scheduling physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), the PDSCH beam can be the same as the scheduling PDCCH. In other words, when the TCI is not present and the scheduling offset is not below the threshold, the scheduling PDCCH beam can be followed.

In one example, when a cross Component Carrier (CC) or cross bandwidth part (BWP) is used, the determination of the beam of the PDSCH can be an issue.

In the present technology, techniques are defined for PDSCH beam indication when multiple CC/BWPs are configured. For example, a PDSCH beam indication is defined for when a scheduling offset is less than a threshold. In another example, a PDSCH beam indication when a TCI is not present and a scheduling offset is greater than a threshold. In yet another example, a PDSCH beam indication is defined when a TCI is present and a scheduling offset is greater than a threshold.

In one configuration, with respect to a default PDSCH beam assumption, when a scheduling offset is below a threshold, a UE cannot decode information from the PDCCH and determine PDSCH beam indication information. Thus, rules for the UE assumption of its default PDSCH beam assumption are defined below.

In one example, when a UE is configured with multiple BWPs/CCs and a scheduling offset is below the threshold, the PDSCH can be spatially Quasi-Co-Located (QCLed) with one TCI state, which can be configured by higher layer signaling or can be fixed. In another example, when a UE is configured with multiple BWPs/CCs and the scheduling offset is below a threshold, the PDSCH can be spatially QCLed with a lowest CORESET ID in a latest slot in a current (or a target) BWP/CC with a PDSCH transmission. Alternatively, the PDSCH can be spatially QCLed with a latest CORESET ID across some or all of the configured BWPs/CCs.

In one example, if cross BWP/CC scheduling is used and the scheduling offset is below the threshold, the PDSCH can be spatially QCLed with the CORESET scheduling the PDSCH transmission.

FIG. 4illustrates an exemplary default physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) beam assumption. For example, when a UE is configured with multiple BWPs/CCs and the scheduling offset is below a threshold, the PDSCH can be spatially QCLed with a lowest CORESET ID in a latest slot in a current (or a target) BWP/CC with a PDSCH transmission. As shown inFIG. 4, a first CC (CC1) can be associated with the scheduling PDCCH and a first CORESET (CORSET 1, where TCI=0), and a second CC (CC2) can be associated with a second CORESET (CORSET 2), where TCI=1). In this example, when the scheduling offset is less than the threshold, the PDSCH can be spatially QCLed with TCI 1.

In one configuration, since a UE can assume the PDSCH is spatially QCLed with one CORESET, the UE can expect that at least one CORESET in a CC/BWP is configured and the UE can have at least one monitoring occasion of this CORESET before the PDSCH transmission.

Alternatively, if there is no CORESET configured or the monitoring occasion of the CORESET is after the PDSCH transmission in the CC/BWP with the PDSCH transmission, the UE can expect that the TCI is present in the scheduling PDCCH with a scheduling delay longer than a specified threshold, or that the PDSCH can be spatially QCLed with one TCI state which is predefined, e.g., a first TCI state, or configured by higher layer signaling. For these two options, if the scheduling delay is less than the specified threshold, the UE can assume that the PDSCH is spatially QCLed with one TCI state that is either pre-defined or configured by higher layers.

In one configuration, with respect to a PDSCH beam indication when a scheduling offset is above a threshold, the PDSCH beam can be spatially QCLed with either an indicated TCI state (when TCI is present) or the scheduling PDCCH (when TCI is not present) when the scheduling offset is above the threshold.

In one example, if cross BWP/CC scheduling is used, when TCI is not present, the PDSCH can be spatially QCLed with one TCI state, which can be configured by higher layer signaling or can be fixed. In one example, the PDSCH can be spatially QCLed with a first TCI state configured by a media access control (MAC) control element (CE) or via radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

Alternatively, the PDSCH can be spatially QCLed with a lowest CORESET ID in a latest slot in a current (target) BWP/CC with a PDSCH transmission, or across some or all configured BWPs/CCs. In this case, the UE can be scheduled with a cross-BWP PDSCH with a scheduling delay, such that there is at least one monitoring occasion for the PDCCH in a CORESET in the current (target) BWP carrying the PDSCH before a start of the PDSCH. In addition, whether the UE is to follow the PDCCH beam when TCI is not present and the scheduling offset is above a threshold can be configured by higher layer signaling, or determined by whether a BWP/CC index is indicated in DCI or by a value of BWP/CC index.

FIG. 5illustrates an exemplary physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) beam indication without a transmission configuration indication (TCI). For example, the PDSCH can be spatially QCLed with a lowest CORESET ID in a latest slot in a current (target) BWP/CC with a PDSCH transmission. As shown inFIG. 5, a first CC (CC1) can be associated with the scheduling PDCCH (TCI is not present) and a first CORESET (CORSET 1, where TCI=0), and a second CC (CC2) can be associated with a second CORESET (CORSET 2), where TCI=1). In this example, when the scheduling offset is greater than a threshold, the PDSCH can be spatially QCLed with TCI 1.

In one example, if cross BWP/CC scheduling is used, when TCI is present, the PDSCH can be spatially QCLed with an indicated TCI, where the TCI can be based on configured TCI states for the BWP/CC with a PDSCH transmission or across configured BWPs/CCs.

In one example, a base station (e.g., gNB) can configure N TCI states for each BWPs/CCs, and then an indicated TCI can be selected from configured TCI states for the BWP/CC with a PDSCH transmission, wherein N is a positive integer.

In one example, the CORESET for beam indication can indicate the UE's monitoring CORESETs. The CORESETs can indicate the CORESET for unicast PDSCH or broadcast PDSCH or both transmissions. In addition, a threshold for cross BWP/CC scheduling can be different from a threshold for intra BWP/CC scheduling, which can be reported based on a UE capability.

In one configuration, a UE can determine spatially Quasi-Co-Locate (QCL) for a PDSCH. When the UE is configured with multiple BWPs/CCs and a scheduling offset is below a threshold, the PDSCH can be spatially Quasi-Co-Located (QCLed) with one TCI state. The TCI state can be configured by higher layer signaling or can be fixed. In another example, when a UE is configured with multiple BWPs/CCs and a scheduling offset is below the threshold, the PDSCH can be spatially QCLed with a latest CORESET with a lowest CORESET ID in a current BWP/CC with a PDSCH transmission. In yet another example, when a UE is configured with multiple BWPs/CCs and a scheduling offset is below the threshold, the PDSCH can be spatially QCLed with a latest CORESET with a lowest CORESET ID across some or all the configured BWPs/CCs.

In one example, if cross BWP/CC scheduling is used, when a TCI is not present, the PDSCH can be spatially QCLed with one TCI state, which can be configured by higher layer signaling or can be fixed. In another example, if cross BWP/CC scheduling is used, when a TCI is not present, the PDSCH can be spatially QCLed with a latest CORESET with a lowest CORESET ID in a current BWP/CC with a PDSCH transmission or across some or all the configured BWPs/CCs.

In one example, whether the UE is to follow a PDCCH beam when a TCI is not present and a scheduling offset is above a threshold can be configured by higher layer signaling, or can be determined by whether a BWP/CC index is indicated in DCI or by a value of BWP/CC index. In another example, if cross BWP/CC scheduling is used, when TCI is present, a PDSCH can be spatially QCLed with an indicated TCI, where the TCI can be based on configured TCI states for a BWP/CC with a PDSCH transmission or across configured BWPs/CCs.

In one example, the CORESET for beam indication can indicate the UE's monitoring CORESETs. In another example, a threshold for cross BWP/CC scheduling can be different from a threshold for intra BWP/CC scheduling, which can be reported based on a UE capability.

Another example provides functionality600of a user equipment (UE) operable to decode beam indication related information received from a New Radio (NR) base station in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), as shown inFIG. 6. The UE can comprise one or more processors configured to decode, at the UE, a transmission configuration indication (TCI) received in a downlink control information (DCI) from the NR base station on a scheduling physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in a scheduled bandwidth part (BWP) or a scheduled component carrier (CC), wherein cross-carrier scheduling for the scheduled BPW or the scheduled CC is used for the UE in a NR network, as in block610. The UE can comprise one or more processors configured to decode, at the UE, a scheduling offset received from the NR base station, wherein the scheduling offset is an offset time for reception of beam indication related information in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), as in block620. The UE can comprise one or more processors configured to decode, at the UE, the beam indication related information received from the NR base station in the PDSCH on the scheduled BWP or the scheduled CC at a time period greater than or equal to the scheduling offset relative to the PDCCH transmission, as in block630. The UE can comprise one or more processors configured to determine, at the UE, a quasi-co location (QCL) for reception of the beam indication related information in the PDSCH based on the TCI, when the time period is greater than or equal to the scheduling offset relative for the PDCCH transmission, as in block640. In addition, the UE can comprise a memory interface configured to send to a memory the TCI, the scheduling offset and the beam indication related information.

Another example provides functionality700of a New Radio (NR) base station operable to encode beam indication related information for transmission in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) to a user equipment (UE), as shown inFIG. 7. The NR base station can comprise one or more processors configured to encode, at the NR base station, a transmission configuration indication (TCI) in a downlink control information (DCI) for transmission to the UE on a scheduling physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in a scheduled bandwidth part (BWP) or a scheduled component carrier (CC), wherein cross-carrier scheduling for the scheduled BPW or the scheduled CC is used for the UE in a NR network, as in block710. The NR base station can comprise one or more processors configured to encode, at the NR base station, a scheduling offset for transmission to the UE, wherein the scheduling offset is an offset time for transmission of beam indication related information in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), as in block720. The NR base station can comprise one or more processors configured to encode, at the NR base station, the beam indication related information in the PDSCH for transmission to the UE on the scheduled BWP or the scheduled CC at a time period greater than or equal to the scheduling offset relative to the PDCCH transmission, wherein the TCI enables the UE to determine a quasi-co location (QCL) for reception of the beam indication related information in the PDSCH when the time period is greater than or equal to the scheduling offset relative for the PDCCH transmission, as in block730. In addition, the NR base station can comprise a memory interface configured to retrieve from a memory the TCI, the scheduling offset and the beam indication related information.

Another example provides at least one machine readable storage medium having instructions800embodied thereon for encoding beam indication related information for transmission in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) from a New Radio (NR) base station to a user equipment (UE), as shown inFIG. 8. The instructions can be executed on a machine, where the instructions are included on at least one computer readable medium or one non-transitory machine readable storage medium. The instructions when executed by one or more processors of the UE perform: decoding, at the UE, a transmission configuration indication (TCI) received in a downlink control information (DCI) from the NR base station on a scheduling physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in a scheduled bandwidth part (BWP) or a scheduled component carrier (CC), wherein cross-carrier scheduling for the scheduled BPW or the scheduled CC is used for the UE in a NR network, as in block810. The instructions when executed by one or more processors of the UE perform: decoding, at the UE, a scheduling offset received from the NR base station, wherein the scheduling offset is an offset time for reception of beam indication related information in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), as in block820. The instructions when executed by one or more processors of the UE perform: decoding, at the UE, the beam indication related information received from the NR base station in the PDSCH on the scheduled BWP or the scheduled CC at a time period greater than or equal to the scheduling offset relative to the PDCCH transmission, as in block830. The instructions when executed by one or more processors of the UE perform: determining, at the UE, a quasi-co location (QCL) for reception of the beam indication related information in the PDSCH based on the TCI, when the time period is greater than or equal to the scheduling offset relative for the PDCCH transmission, as in block840.

FIG. 9illustrates an architecture of a system900of a network in accordance with some embodiments. The system900is shown to include a user equipment (UE)901and a UE902. The UEs901and902are illustrated as smartphones (e.g., handheld touchscreen mobile computing devices connectable to one or more cellular networks), but may also comprise any mobile or non-mobile computing device, such as Personal Data Assistants (PDAs), pagers, laptop computers, desktop computers, wireless handsets, or any computing device including a wireless communications interface.

The UEs901and902may be configured to connect, e.g., communicatively couple, with a radio access network (RAN)910—the RAN910may be, for example, an Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), a NextGen RAN (NG RAN), or some other type of RAN. The UEs901and902utilize connections903and904, respectively, each of which comprises a physical communications interface or layer (discussed in further detail below); in this example, the connections903and904are illustrated as an air interface to enable communicative coupling, and can be consistent with cellular communications protocols, such as a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) protocol, a code-division multiple access (CDMA) network protocol, a Push-to-Talk (PTT) protocol, a PTT over Cellular (POC) protocol, a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) protocol, a 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) protocol, a fifth generation (5G) protocol, a New Radio (NR) protocol, and the like.

In this embodiment, the UEs901and902may further directly exchange communication data via a ProSe interface905. The ProSe interface905may alternatively be referred to as a sidelink interface comprising one or more logical channels, including but not limited to a Physical Sidelink Control Channel (PSCCH), a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH), a Physical Sidelink Discovery Channel (PSDCH), and a Physical Sidelink Broadcast Channel (PSBCH).

The UE902is shown to be configured to access an access point (AP)906via connection907. The connection907can comprise a local wireless connection, such as a connection consistent with any IEEE 802.11 protocol, wherein the AP906would comprise a wireless fidelity (WiFi®) router. In this example, the AP906is shown to be connected to the Internet without connecting to the core network of the wireless system (described in further detail below).

The RAN910can include one or more access nodes that enable the connections903and904. These access nodes (ANs) can be referred to as base stations (BSs), NodeBs, evolved NodeBs (eNBs), next Generation NodeBs (gNB), RAN nodes, and so forth, and can comprise ground stations (e.g., terrestrial access points) or satellite stations providing coverage within a geographic area (e.g., a cell). The RAN910may include one or more RAN nodes for providing macrocells, e.g., macro RAN node911, and one or more RAN nodes for providing femtocells or picocells (e.g., cells having smaller coverage areas, smaller user capacity, or higher bandwidth compared to macrocells), e.g., low power (LP) RAN node912.

Any of the RAN nodes911and912can terminate the air interface protocol and can be the first point of contact for the UEs901and902. In some embodiments, any of the RAN nodes911and912can fulfill various logical functions for the RAN910including, but not limited to, radio network controller (RNC) functions such as radio bearer management, uplink and downlink dynamic radio resource management and data packet scheduling, and mobility management.

The physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) may carry user data and higher-layer signaling to the UEs901and902. The physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) may carry information about the transport format and resource allocations related to the PDSCH channel, among other things. It may also inform the UEs901and902about the transport format, resource allocation, and H-ARQ (Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request) information related to the uplink shared channel. Typically, downlink scheduling (assigning control and shared channel resource blocks to the UE901within a cell) may be performed at any of the RAN nodes911and912based on channel quality information fed back from any of the UEs901and902. The downlink resource assignment information may be sent on the PDCCH used for (e.g., assigned to) each of the UEs901and902.

The RAN910is shown to be communicatively coupled to a core network (CN)920—via an S1 interface913. In embodiments, the CN920may be an evolved packet core (EPC) network, a NextGen Packet Core (NPC) network, or some other type of CN. In this embodiment the S1 interface913is split into two parts: the S1-U interface914, which carries traffic data between the RAN nodes911and912and the serving gateway (S-GW)922, and the S1-mobility management entity (MME) interface915, which is a signaling interface between the RAN nodes911and912and MMEs921.

In this embodiment, the CN920comprises the MMEs921, the S-GW922, the Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway (P-GW)923, and a home subscriber server (HSS)924. The MMEs921may be similar in function to the control plane of legacy Serving General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Support Nodes (SGSN). The MMEs921may manage mobility aspects in access such as gateway selection and tracking area list management. The HSS924may comprise a database for network users, including subscription-related information to support the network entities' handling of communication sessions. The CN920may comprise one or several HSSs924, depending on the number of mobile subscribers, on the capacity of the equipment, on the organization of the network, etc. For example, the HSS924can provide support for routing/roaming, authentication, authorization, naming/addressing resolution, location dependencies, etc.

The S-GW922may terminate the S1 interface913towards the RAN910, and routes data packets between the RAN910and the CN920. In addition, the S-GW922may be a local mobility anchor point for inter-RAN node handovers and also may provide an anchor for inter-3GPP mobility. Other responsibilities may include lawful intercept, charging, and some policy enforcement.

The P-GW923may terminate an SGi interface toward a PDN. The P-GW923may route data packets between the EPC network923and external networks such as a network including the application server930(alternatively referred to as application function (AF)) via an Internet Protocol (IP) interface925. Generally, the application server930may be an element offering applications that use IP bearer resources with the core network (e.g., UMTS Packet Services (PS) domain, LTE PS data services, etc.). In this embodiment, the P-GW923is shown to be communicatively coupled to an application server930via an IP communications interface925. The application server930can also be configured to support one or more communication services (e.g., Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) sessions, PTT sessions, group communication sessions, social networking services, etc.) for the UEs901and902via the CN920.

The P-GW923may further be a node for policy enforcement and charging data collection. Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCRF)926is the policy and charging control element of the CN920. In a non-roaming scenario, there may be a single PCRF in the Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN) associated with a UE's Internet Protocol Connectivity Access Network (IP-CAN) session. In a roaming scenario with local breakout of traffic, there may be two PCRFs associated with a UE's IP-CAN session: a Home PCRF (H-PCRF) within a HPLMN and a Visited PCRF (V-PCRF) within a Visited Public Land Mobile Network (VPLMN). The PCRF926may be communicatively coupled to the application server930via the P-GW923. The application server930may signal the PCRF926to indicate a new service flow and select the appropriate Quality of Service (QoS) and charging parameters. The PCRF926may provision this rule into a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF) (not shown) with the appropriate traffic flow template (TFT) and QoS class of identifier (QCI), which commences the QoS and charging as specified by the application server930.

FIG. 10illustrates example components of a device1000in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the device1000may include application circuitry1002, baseband circuitry1004, Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry1006, front-end module (FEM) circuitry1008, one or more antennas1010, and power management circuitry (PMC)1012coupled together at least as shown. The components of the illustrated device1000may be included in a UE or a RAN node. In some embodiments, the device1000may include less elements (e.g., a RAN node may not utilize application circuitry1002, and instead include a processor/controller to process IP data received from an EPC). In some embodiments, the device1000may include additional elements such as, for example, memory/storage, display, camera, sensor, or input/output (I/O) interface. In other embodiments, the components described below may be included in more than one device (e.g., said circuitries may be separately included in more than one device for Cloud-RAN (C-RAN) implementations).

The application circuitry1002may include one or more application processors. For example, the application circuitry1002may include circuitry such as, but not limited to, one or more single-core or multi-core processors. The processor(s) may include any combination of general-purpose processors and dedicated processors (e.g., graphics processors, application processors, etc.). The processors may be coupled with or may include memory/storage and may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory/storage to enable various applications or operating systems to run on the device1000. In some embodiments, processors of application circuitry1002may process IP data packets received from an EPC.

The baseband circuitry1004may include circuitry such as, but not limited to, one or more single-core or multi-core processors. The baseband circuitry1004may include one or more baseband processors or control logic to process baseband signals received from a receive signal path of the RF circuitry1006and to generate baseband signals for a transmit signal path of the RF circuitry1006. Baseband processing circuitry1004may interface with the application circuitry1002for generation and processing of the baseband signals and for controlling operations of the RF circuitry1006. For example, in some embodiments, the baseband circuitry1004may include a third generation (3G) baseband processor1004a, a fourth generation (4G) baseband processor1004b, a fifth generation (5G) baseband processor1004c, or other baseband processor(s)1004dfor other existing generations, generations in development or to be developed in the future (e.g., second generation (2G), sixth generation (6G), etc.). The baseband circuitry1004(e.g., one or more of baseband processors1004a-d) may handle various radio control functions that enable communication with one or more radio networks via the RF circuitry1006. In other embodiments, some or all of the functionality of baseband processors1004a-dmay be included in modules stored in the memory1004gand executed via a Central Processing Unit (CPU)1004e. The radio control functions may include, but are not limited to, signal modulation/demodulation, encoding/decoding, radio frequency shifting, etc. In some embodiments, modulation/demodulation circuitry of the baseband circuitry1004may include Fast-Fourier Transform (FFT), precoding, or constellation mapping/demapping functionality. In some embodiments, encoding/decoding circuitry of the baseband circuitry1004may include convolution, tail-biting convolution, turbo, Viterbi, or Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) encoder/decoder functionality. Embodiments of modulation/demodulation and encoder/decoder functionality are not limited to these examples and may include other suitable functionality in other embodiments.

In some embodiments, the baseband circuitry1004may include one or more audio digital signal processor(s) (DSP)1004f. The audio DSP(s)1004fmay be include elements for compression/decompression and echo cancellation and may include other suitable processing elements in other embodiments. Components of the baseband circuitry may be suitably combined in a single chip, a single chipset, or disposed on a same circuit board in some embodiments. In some embodiments, some or all of the constituent components of the baseband circuitry1004and the application circuitry1002may be implemented together such as, for example, on a system on a chip (SOC).

RF circuitry1006may enable communication with wireless networks using modulated electromagnetic radiation through a non-solid medium. In various embodiments, the RF circuitry1006may include switches, filters, amplifiers, etc. to facilitate the communication with the wireless network. RF circuitry1006may include a receive signal path which may include circuitry to down-convert RF signals received from the FEM circuitry1008and provide baseband signals to the baseband circuitry1004. RF circuitry1006may also include a transmit signal path which may include circuitry to up-convert baseband signals provided by the baseband circuitry1004and provide RF output signals to the FEM circuitry1008for transmission.

In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry1006aof the transmit signal path may be configured to up-convert input baseband signals based on the synthesized frequency provided by the synthesizer circuitry1006dto generate RF output signals for the FEM circuitry1008. The baseband signals may be provided by the baseband circuitry1004and may be filtered by filter circuitry1006c.

In some embodiments, the output baseband signals and the input baseband signals may be analog baseband signals, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect. In some alternate embodiments, the output baseband signals and the input baseband signals may be digital baseband signals. In these alternate embodiments, the RF circuitry1006may include analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuitry and the baseband circuitry1004may include a digital baseband interface to communicate with the RF circuitry1006.

The synthesizer circuitry1006dmay be configured to synthesize an output frequency for use by the mixer circuitry1006aof the RF circuitry1006based on a frequency input and a divider control input. In some embodiments, the synthesizer circuitry1006dmay be a fractional N/N+1 synthesizer.

In some embodiments, frequency input may be provided by a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). Divider control input may be provided by either the baseband circuitry1004or the applications processor1002depending on the desired output frequency. In some embodiments, a divider control input (e.g., N) may be determined from a look-up table based on a channel indicated by the applications processor1002.

FEM circuitry1008may include a receive signal path which may include circuitry configured to operate on RF signals received from one or more antennas1010, amplify the received signals and provide the amplified versions of the received signals to the RF circuitry1006for further processing. FEM circuitry1008may also include a transmit signal path which may include circuitry configured to amplify signals for transmission provided by the RF circuitry1006for transmission by one or more of the one or more antennas1010. In various embodiments, the amplification through the transmit or receive signal paths may be done solely in the RF circuitry1006, solely in the FEM1008, or in both the RF circuitry1006and the FEM1008.

In some embodiments, the FEM circuitry1008may include a TX/RX switch to switch between transmit mode and receive mode operation. The FEM circuitry may include a receive signal path and a transmit signal path. The receive signal path of the FEM circuitry may include an LNA to amplify received RF signals and provide the amplified received RF signals as an output (e.g., to the RF circuitry1006). The transmit signal path of the FEM circuitry1008may include a power amplifier (PA) to amplify input RF signals (e.g., provided by RF circuitry1006), and one or more filters to generate RF signals for subsequent transmission (e.g., by one or more of the one or more antennas1010).

In some embodiments, the PMC1012may manage power provided to the baseband circuitry1004. In particular, the PMC1012may control power-source selection, voltage scaling, battery charging, or DC-to-DC conversion. The PMC1012may often be included when the device1000is capable of being powered by a battery, for example, when the device is included in a UE. The PMC1012may increase the power conversion efficiency while providing desirable implementation size and heat dissipation characteristics.

WhileFIG. 10shows the PMC1012coupled only with the baseband circuitry1004. However, in other embodiments, the PMC1012may be additionally or alternatively coupled with, and perform similar power management operations for, other components such as, but not limited to, application circuitry1002, RF circuitry1006, or FEM1008.

In some embodiments, the PMC1012may control, or otherwise be part of, various power saving mechanisms of the device1000. For example, if the device1000is in an RRC_Connected state, where it is still connected to the RAN node as it expects to receive traffic shortly, then it may enter a state known as Discontinuous Reception Mode (DRX) after a period of inactivity. During this state, the device1000may power down for brief intervals of time and thus save power.

FIG. 11illustrates example interfaces of baseband circuitry in accordance with some embodiments. As discussed above, the baseband circuitry1004ofFIG. 10may comprise processors1004a-1004eand a memory1004gutilized by said processors. Each of the processors1004a-1004emay include a memory interface,1104a-1104e, respectively, to send/receive data to/from the memory1004g.

The baseband circuitry1004may further include one or more interfaces to communicatively couple to other circuitries/devices, such as a memory interface1112(e.g., an interface to send/receive data to/from memory external to the baseband circuitry1004), an application circuitry interface1114(e.g., an interface to send/receive data to/from the application circuitry1002ofFIG. 10), an RF circuitry interface1116(e.g., an interface to send/receive data to/from RF circuitry1006ofFIG. 10), a wireless hardware connectivity interface1118(e.g., an interface to send/receive data to/from Near Field Communication (NFC) components, Bluetooth® components (e.g., Bluetooth® Low Energy), Wi-Fi® components, and other communication components), and a power management interface1120(e.g., an interface to send/receive power or control signals to/from the PMC1012.

FIG. 12also provides an illustration of a microphone and one or more speakers that can be used for audio input and output from the wireless device. The display screen can be a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, or other type of display screen such as an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display. The display screen can be configured as a touch screen. The touch screen can use capacitive, resistive, or another type of touch screen technology. An application processor and a graphics processor can be coupled to internal memory to provide processing and display capabilities. A non-volatile memory port can also be used to provide data input/output options to a user. The non-volatile memory port can also be used to expand the memory capabilities of the wireless device. A keyboard can be integrated with the wireless device or wirelessly connected to the wireless device to provide additional user input. A virtual keyboard can also be provided using the touch screen.

Examples

The following examples pertain to specific technology embodiments and point out specific features, elements, or actions that can be used or otherwise combined in achieving such embodiments.

Example 1 includes an apparatus of a user equipment (UE) operable to decode beam indication related information received from a New Radio (NR) base station in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), the apparatus comprising: decode, at the UE, a transmission configuration indication (TCI) received in a downlink control information (DCI) from the NR base station on a scheduling physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in a scheduled bandwidth part (BWP) or a scheduled component carrier (CC), wherein cross-carrier scheduling for the scheduled BPW or the scheduled CC is used for the UE in a NR network; decode, at the UE, a scheduling offset received from the NR base station, wherein the scheduling offset is an offset time for reception of beam indication related information in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH); decode, at the UE, the beam indication related information received from the NR base station in the PDSCH on the scheduled BWP or the scheduled CC at a time period greater than or equal to the scheduling offset relative to the PDCCH transmission; and determine, at the UE, a quasi-co location (QCL) for reception of the beam indication related information in the PDSCH based on the TCI, when the time period is greater than or equal to the scheduling offset relative for the PDCCH transmission, and a memory interface configured to send to a memory the TCI, the scheduling offset and the beam indication related information.

Example 2 includes the apparatus of Example 1, further comprising a transceiver configured to: receive the TCI from the NR base station; receive the scheduling offset from the NR base station; and receive the beam indication related information from the NR base station.

Example 3 includes the apparatus of any of Examples 1 to 2, wherein the PDSCH is spatially QCLed with a corresponding downlink reference signal in the TCI when the TCI is included in the scheduling PDCCH and the scheduling offset is greater than or equal to a defined threshold.

Example 4 includes the apparatus of any of Examples 1 to 3, wherein N TCI states are configured for the scheduled BWP or the scheduled CC, wherein N is a positive integer, and the TCI is selected from the N TCI states for the scheduled BWP or the scheduled CC.

Example 5 includes the apparatus of any of Examples 1 to 4, wherein the TCI is included in the scheduling PDCCH when no control resource set (CORESET) is configured or a monitoring occasion of the CORESET is after a data transmission in the PDSCH in the scheduled BWP or the scheduled CC with the PDSCH transmission, and the TCI is included in the scheduling PDCCH with a scheduling delay that is greater than or equal to a defined threshold.

Example 6 includes the apparatus of any of Examples 1 to 5, wherein the CORESET indicates monitoring CORESETs for the UE, and the CORSET is for one or more of a unicast PDSCH transmission or a broadcast PDSCH transmission.

Example 7 includes the apparatus of any of Examples 1 to 6, wherein the PDSCH is spatially QCLed with a control resource set (CORESET) identifier (ID) in a slot of a target BWP or a target CC with a data transmission in the PDSCH, when the scheduling offset is less than a defined threshold.

Example 8 includes the apparatus of any of Examples 1 to 7, wherein the UE expects the TCI to be present in the scheduling PDCCH with a scheduling delay that is longer than or equal to a defined threshold.

Example 9 includes an apparatus of a New Radio (NR) base station operable to encode beam indication related information for transmission in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) to a user equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising: one or more processors configured to: encode, at the NR base station, a transmission configuration indication (TCI) in a downlink control information (DCI) for transmission to the UE on a scheduling physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in a scheduled bandwidth part (BWP) or a scheduled component carrier (CC), wherein cross-carrier scheduling for the scheduled BPW or the scheduled CC is used for the UE in a NR network; encode, at the NR base station, a scheduling offset for transmission to the UE, wherein the scheduling offset is an offset time for transmission of beam indication related information in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH); and encode, at the NR base station, the beam indication related information in the PDSCH for transmission to the UE on the scheduled BWP or the scheduled CC at a time period greater than or equal to the scheduling offset relative to the PDCCH transmission, wherein the TCI enables the UE to determine a quasi-co location (QCL) for reception of the beam indication related information in the PDSCH when the time period is greater than or equal to the scheduling offset relative for the PDCCH transmission, and a memory interface configured to retrieve from a memory the TCI, the scheduling offset and the beam indication related information.

Example 10 includes the apparatus Examples 9, further comprising a transceiver configured to: transmit the TCI to the UE; transmit the scheduling offset to the UE; and transmit the beam indication related information to the UE.

Example 11 includes the apparatus of any of Examples 9 to 10, wherein the PDSCH is spatially QCLed with a corresponding downlink reference signal in the TCI when the TCI is included in the scheduling PDCCH and the scheduling offset is greater than or equal to a defined threshold.

Example 12 includes the apparatus of any of Examples 9 to 11, wherein N TCI states are configured for the scheduled BWP or the scheduled CC, wherein N is a positive integer, and the TCI is selected from the N TCI states for the scheduled BWP or the scheduled CC.

Example 13 includes the apparatus of any of Examples 9 to 12, wherein the TCI is included in the scheduling PDCCH when no control resource set (CORESET) is configured or a monitoring occasion of the CORESET is after a data transmission in the PDSCH in the scheduled BWP or the scheduled CC with the PDSCH transmission, and the TCI is included in the scheduling PDCCH with a scheduling delay that is greater than or equal to a defined threshold.

Example 14 includes the apparatus of any of Examples 9 to 13, wherein the CORESET indicates monitoring CORESETs for the UE, and the CORSET is for one or more of a unicast PDSCH transmission or a broadcast PDSCH transmission.

Example 15 includes the apparatus of any of Examples 9 to 14, wherein the PDSCH is spatially QCLed with a control resource set (CORESET) identifier (ID) in a slot of a target BWP or a target CC with a data transmission in the PDSCH, when the scheduling offset is less than a defined threshold.

Example 16 includes the apparatus of any of Examples 9 to 15, wherein the UE expects the TCI to be present in the scheduling PDCCH with a scheduling delay that is longer than or equal to a defined threshold.

Example 17 includes at least one non-transitory machine readable storage medium having instructions embodied thereon for encoding beam indication related information for transmission in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) from a New Radio (NR) base station to a user equipment (UE), the instructions when executed by one or more processors at the NR base station perform the following: decoding, at the UE, a transmission configuration indication (TCI) received in a downlink control information (DCI) from the NR base station on a scheduling physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in a scheduled bandwidth part (BWP) or a scheduled component carrier (CC), wherein cross-carrier scheduling for the scheduled BPW or the scheduled CC is used for the UE in a NR network; decoding, at the UE, a scheduling offset received from the NR base station, wherein the scheduling offset is an offset time for reception of beam indication related information in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH); decoding, at the UE, the beam indication related information received from the NR base station in the PDSCH on the scheduled BWP or the scheduled CC at a time period greater than or equal to the scheduling offset relative to the PDCCH transmission; and determining, at the UE, a quasi-co location (QCL) for reception of the beam indication related information in the PDSCH based on the TCI, when the time period is greater than or equal to the scheduling offset relative for the PDCCH transmission.

Example 18 includes the at least one non-transitory machine readable storage medium of Example 17, wherein the PDSCH is spatially QCLed with a corresponding downlink reference signal in the TCI when the TCI is included in the scheduling PDCCH.

Example 19 includes the at least one non-transitory machine readable storage medium of any of Examples 17 to 18, wherein N TCI states are configured for the scheduled BWP or the scheduled CC, wherein N is a positive integer, and the TCI is selected from the N TCI states for the scheduled BWP or the scheduled CC.

Example 20 includes the at least one non-transitory machine readable storage medium of any of Examples 17 to 19, wherein the TCI is included in the scheduling PDCCH when no control resource set (CORESET) is configured or a monitoring occasion of the CORESET is after a data transmission in the PDSCH in the scheduled BWP or the scheduled CC with the PDSCH transmission, and the TCI is included in the scheduling PDCCH with a scheduling delay that is greater than or equal to a defined threshold.

Example 21 includes the at least one non-transitory machine readable storage medium of any of Examples 17 to 20, wherein the CORESET indicates monitoring CORESETs for the UE, and the CORSET is for one or more of a unicast PDSCH transmission or a broadcast PDSCH transmission.

Example 22 includes the at least one non-transitory machine readable storage medium of any of Examples 17 to 21, wherein the PDSCH is spatially QCLed with a control resource set (CORESET) identifier (ID) in a slot of a target BWP or a target CC with a data transmission in the PDSCH, when the scheduling offset is less than a defined threshold.

Example 23 includes a New Radio (NR) base station operable to encode beam indication related information for transmission in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) to a user equipment (UE), the NR base station comprising: means for decoding, at the UE, a transmission configuration indication (TCI) received in a downlink control information (DCI) from the NR base station on a scheduling physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in a scheduled bandwidth part (BWP) or a scheduled component carrier (CC), wherein cross-carrier scheduling for the scheduled BPW or the scheduled CC is used for the UE in a NR network; means for decoding, at the UE, a scheduling offset received from the NR base station, wherein the scheduling offset is an offset time for reception of beam indication related information in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH); means for decoding, at the UE, the beam indication related information received from the NR base station in the PDSCH on the scheduled BWP or the scheduled CC at a time period greater than or equal to the scheduling offset relative to the PDCCH transmission; and means for determining, at the UE, a quasi-co location (QCL) for reception of the beam indication related information in the PDSCH based on the TCI, when the time period is greater than or equal to the scheduling offset relative for the PDCCH transmission.