SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING TRANSMISSION INDICATION IN MULTICAST AND BROADCAST COMMUNICATIONS

Systems and methods for wireless communications are disclosed herein. In some arrangements, a method includes switching by a network and a wireless communication device from communicating in a first frequency resource to communicating in a second frequency resource. In response to the switching, the network and the wireless communication device communicate using the second frequency resource.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates generally to wireless communications and, more particularly, to systems and methods for managing transmission indication in multicast and broadcast communications.

BACKGROUND

In New Radio (NR) wireless communication systems, a network can communicate with a plurality of User Equipment (UEs) via multicast or broadcast. In particular, a network can transmit downlink information such as but not limited to, Multicast and Broadcast Services (MBS) Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), MBS Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), and so on.

SUMMARY

The example arrangements disclosed herein are directed to solving the issues relating to one or more of the problems presented in the prior art, as well as providing additional features that will become readily apparent by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompany drawings. In accordance with various arrangements, example systems, methods, devices and computer program products are disclosed herein. It is understood, however, that these arrangements are presented by way of example and are not limiting, and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art who read the present disclosure that various modifications to the disclosed arrangements can be made while remaining within the scope of this disclosure.

In some arrangements, a wireless communication method includes switching, by a network, from communicating with a wireless communication device in a first frequency resource to communicating with the wireless communication device in a second frequency resource, and communicating, by the network with the wireless communication device, in the second frequency resource.

In some arrangements, a wireless communication method includes switching by a wireless communication device, from communicating with a network in a first frequency resource to communicating with the network in a second frequency resource, and communicating, by the wireless communication device with the network, in the second frequency resource.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1Ashows an example wireless communication network100. The wireless communication network100corresponds to a group communication within a cellular network. In the wireless communication network100, a network side communication node or a base station (BS) can include one or more of a next Generation Node B (gNB), an E-utran Node B (also known as Evolved Node B, eNodeB or eNB), a pico station, a femto station, a Transmission/Reception Point (TRP), an Access Point (AP), or the like. A terminal side node or a user equipment (UE) can include a long range communication system (such as but not limited to, a mobile device, a smart phone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a tablet, a laptop computer) or a short range communication system (such as but not limited to, a wearable device, a vehicle with a vehicular communication system, or the like). As InFIG.1A, a network side communication node is represented by a BS102, and a terminal side communication node is represented by a UE104aor104b. In some arrangements, the BS102is sometimes referred to as a “wireless communication node,” and the UE104a/104bis sometimes referred to as a “wireless communication device.”

As shown inFIG.1A, the BS102can provide wireless communication services to the UEs104aand104bwithin a cell101. The UE104acan communicate with the BS102via a communication channel103a. Similarly, the UE104bcan communicate with the BS102via a communication channel103b. The communication channels (e.g.,103aand103b) can be through interfaces such as but not limited to, an Uu interface which is also known as Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) air interface. The BS102is connected to a Core Network (CN)108through an external interface107, e.g., an Iu interface.

FIG.1Billustrates a block diagram of an example wireless communication system150for transmitting and receiving downlink and uplink communication signals, in accordance with some arrangements of the present disclosure. Referring toFIGS.1A and1B, in the system150, data symbols can be transmitted and received in a wireless communication environment such as the wireless communication network100ofFIG.1A.

The system150generally includes the BS102and UEs104aand104b. The BS102includes a BS transceiver module110, a BS antenna112, a BS memory module116, a BS processor module114, and a network communication module118. The modules/components are coupled and interconnected with one another as needed via a data communication bus120. The UE104aincludes a UE transceiver module130a, a UE antenna132a, a UE memory module134a, and a UE processor module136a. The modules/components are coupled and interconnected with one another as needed via a data communication bus140a. Similarly, the UE104bincludes a UE transceiver module130b, a UE antenna132b, a UE memory module134b, and a UE processor module136b. The modules/components are coupled and interconnected with one another as needed via a data communication bus140b. The BS102communicates with the UEs104aand104bvia communication channels155, which can be any wireless channel or other medium known in the art suitable for transmission of data as described herein.

The system150can further include any number of modules/elements other than the modules/elements shown inFIG.1B. The various illustrative blocks, modules, elements, circuits, and processing logic described in connection with the arrangements disclosed herein can be implemented in hardware, computer-readable software, firmware, or any practical combination thereof. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability and compatibility of hardware, firmware, and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps are described generally in terms of their functionalities. Whether such functionalities are implemented as hardware, firmware, or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those familiar with the concepts described herein may implement such functionalities in a suitable manner for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

A wireless transmission from an antenna of each of the UEs104aand104bto an antenna of the BS102is known as an uplink transmission, and a wireless transmission from an antenna of the BS102to an antenna of each of the UEs104aand104bis known as a downlink transmission. In accordance with some arrangements, each of the UE transceiver modules130aand130bmay be referred to herein as an uplink transceiver, or UE transceiver. The uplink transceiver can include a transmitter circuitry and receiver circuitry that are each coupled to the respective antenna132aand132b. A duplex switch may alternatively couple the uplink transmitter or receiver to the uplink antenna in time duplex fashion. Similarly, the BS transceiver module110may be herein referred to as a downlink transceiver, or BS transceiver. The downlink transceiver can include RF transmitter circuitry and receiver circuitry that are each coupled to the antenna112. A downlink duplex switch may alternatively couple the downlink transmitter or receiver to the antenna112in time duplex fashion. The operations of the transceivers110,130a, and130bare coordinated in time such that the uplink receiver is coupled to the antenna132aand132bfor reception of transmissions over the wireless communication channels155at the same time that the downlink transmitter is coupled to the antenna112. In some arrangements, the UEs104aand104bcan use the UE transceivers130aand130bthrough the respective antennas132aand132bto communicate with the BS102via the wireless communication channels155. The wireless communication channel155can be any wireless channel or other medium suitable for downlink (DL) and/or uplink (UL) transmission of data as described herein.

The UE transceiver130a/130band the BS transceiver110are configured to communicate via the wireless data communication channel155, and cooperate with a suitably configured antenna arrangement that can support a particular wireless communication protocol and modulation scheme. In some arrangements, the UE transceiver130a/130band the BS transceiver110are configured to support industry standards such as the Long Term Evolution (LTE) and emerging 5G standards, or the like. It is understood, however, that the present disclosure is not necessarily limited in application to a particular standard and associated protocols. Rather, the UE transceiver130a/130band the BS transceiver110may be configured to support alternate, or additional, wireless data communication protocols, including future standards or variations thereof.

The processor modules136aand136band114may be each implemented, or realized, with a general purpose processor, a content addressable memory, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, any suitable programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof, designed to perform the functions described herein. In this manner, a processor may be realized as a microprocessor, a controller, a microcontroller, a state machine, or the like. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a digital signal processor core, or any other such configuration.

Furthermore, methods or algorithms described in connection with the arrangements disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in firmware, in a software module executed by processor modules114,136a, and136b, respectively, or in any practical combination thereof. The memory modules116,134a,134bcan be realized as RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or another suitable form of storage medium. In this regard, the memory modules116,134a, and134bmay be coupled to the processor modules114,136a, and136b, respectively, such that the processors modules114,136a, and136bcan read information from, and write information to, the memory modules116,134a, and134b, respectively. The memory modules116,134a, and134bmay also be integrated into their respective processor modules114,136a, and136b. In some arrangements, the memory modules116,134a, and134bmay each include a cache memory for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions to be executed by processor modules114,136a, and136b, respectively. Memory modules116,134a, and134bmay also each include non-volatile memory for storing instructions to be executed by the processor modules114,136a, and136b, respectively.

The network interface118generally represents the hardware, software, firmware, processing logic, and/or other components of the BS102that enable bi-directional communication between BS transceiver110and other network components and communication nodes configured to communication with the BS102. For example, the network interface118may be configured to support internet or WiMAX traffic. In a typical deployment, without limitation, the network interface118provides an 802.3 Ethernet interface such that BS transceiver110can communicate with a conventional Ethernet based computer network. In this manner, the network interface118may include a physical interface for connection to the computer network (e.g., Mobile Switching Center (MSC)). The terms “configured for” or “configured to” as used herein with respect to a specified operation or function refers to a device, component, circuit, structure, machine, signal, etc. that is physically constructed, programmed, formatted and/or arranged to perform the specified operation or function. The network interface118can allow the BS102to communicate with other BSs or core network over a wired or wireless connection.

The BS102can communicate with a plurality of UEs (including the UEs104aand104b) using multicast or broadcast, collectively referred to as MBS. The plurality of UEs can each receive MBS channel (e.g., MBS PDSCH, MBS PDCCH, and so on) via multicast and/or broadcast. In order to receive the MBS channel, the plurality of UEs have a common understanding on the configurations of the MBS channel, including but not limited to, frequency resource range for resource allocation, scramble identifier (ID), and so on.

In some implementations of the wireless communication network100and the wireless communication system150, for multicast of Radio Resource Control (RRC)-CONNECTED UEs, a common frequency resource for group-common PDCCH/PDSCH is confined within the frequency resource of a dedicated unicast Bandwidth Part (BWP) to support simultaneous reception of unicast and multicast in the same slot. Two options can be used for the common frequency resource for group-common PDCCH/PDSCH. In a first option, the common frequency resource is defined as an MB S-specific BWP, which is associated with the dedicated unicast BWP and using the same numerology (e.g., Subcarrier Spacing (SCS) and Cyclic Prefix (CP)). Accordingly, BWP switching is needed between the multicast reception in the MBS-specific BWP and unicast reception in its associated dedicated BWP.

In a second option, the common frequency resource is defined as an “MBS frequency region” with a number of contiguous PRBs, which is configured within the dedicated unicast BWP. The starting PRB and the length of PRBs of the MBS frequency region are indicated using a suitable mechanism. In the second option, a MBS BWP is used for MBS transmission, which is associated to unicast BWP. MBS BWP and unicast BWP can be used for the MBS PDSCH and unicast PDSCH transmission, which need simultaneous activation of two BWPs. The arrangements disclosed herein relate to managing the operations of two active BWPs.

As used herein, BWP refers to a portion of contiguous frequency resource in a cell. In other words, a BWP is a continuous range of frequencies that can be used for communications between a BS and UEs. Some transmission parameters and channel configurations are BWP-specific. Different UEs can have different BWP configurations. In one implementation, at most one of multiple configured BWPs can be activated due to lack of time, although at most four BWPs can be configured for a UE. In other words, for a UE, at most one active DL BWP and at most one active UL BWP at a given time can be activated for a given serving cell.

FIG.2is a flowchart diagram illustrating a method200for performing frequency resource switching, according to various arrangements. Referring toFIGS.1A-2, the method200can be performed by a BS201and a UE202. An example of the BS201is the BS102. Examples of the UE202include the UEs104aand104b. As shown, blocks210and230are performed by the BS201, which represents the network (having one or more BSs such as the BS201) to which the UE202is connected. The UE202performs blocks220and240.

The BS201and the UE202can perform switching from communicating in a first frequency resource to communicating in a second frequency resource. At210, the network (e.g., the BS201) switches from communicating with the UE202in a first frequency resource to communicating with the UE202in a second frequency resource. At220, the UE202switches from communicating with the network (e.g., the BS201) in the first frequency resource to communicating with the BS201in the second frequency resource. The first frequency resource is a first BWP, which is the currently active BWP. The BS201and the UE202are communicating (e.g., sending and receiving data) using the currently active BWP or a portion thereof prior to switching at210and220.

At230, in response to the switching, the network (e.g., the BS201) communicates with the UE202in the second frequency resource. At240, in response to the switching, the UE202communicates with the network (e.g., the BS201) in the second frequency resource.

In some arrangements, dynamic BWP switching is supported by Downlink Control Information (DCI) indication or timer. In other words, the UE can perform dynamic BWP switching based on DCI indication that the UE received from the BS, or based on a timer. In some examples in which only one BWP (one frequency resource) among multiple (e.g., at most four) configured BWPs can be activated at any given time. For a DCI-based BWP switching method in the examples in which one BWP among multiple configured BWPs is activated, a UE can receive a DCI having a BWP indicator field that indicates the BWP for the transmission of a scheduled PDSCH. In response to the UE determining that the indicated BWP in the DCI is different from the currently active BWP, BWP switching is triggered, such that BWP is switched from the currently active BWP to the indicated BWP. For a timer-based BWP switching method in the examples in which one BWP among multiple configured BWPs is activated, the current active BWP is switched to a default BWP in response to the timer expiring.

In some arrangements, each codepoint in BWP indicator field is associated with or mapped to one BWP. For example, a two-bit BWP indicator field can support a total of four codepoints (e.g., 00, 01, 10, 11). In some arrangements, in which one BWP is activated at a given time, each codepoint is associated with or mapped to one BWP.

In some arrangements, in which more than one BWP is activated at a given time, each of one or more of the codepoints supported by the BWP indicator field is associated with or mapped to more than one BWP. For example, for a given UE, two BWPs can be activated at a given time, each one or more of the codepoints supported by the BWP indicator field is associated with or mapped to two BWPs. The UE can receive, from a BS, a DCI having a two-bit BWP indicator field that supports four codepoints: 00, 01, 10, and 11. The BS configures 4 BWP (BWP1, BWP2, BWP3, and BPW4) for the UE. As an example, codepoint 00 is associated with or mapped to BWP1and BWP2, and in response to receiving a DCI with codepoint 00 in the BWP indicator field, the UE activates or switches to two BWPs, BWP1and BWP2, at the same time. Codepoint 01 is associated with or mapped to BWP2, and in response to receiving a DCI with codepoint 01 in the BWP indicator field, the UE activates or switches to one BWP, BWP2. Codepoint 10 is associated with or mapped to BWP3, and in response to receiving a DCI with codepoint 01 in the BWP indicator field, the UE activates or switches to one BWP, BWP3. Codepoint 11 is associated with or mapped to BWP4, and in response to receiving a DCI with codepoint 01 in the BWP indicator field, the UE activates or switches to one BWP, BWP4.

Whether several BWPs can be activated at the same time will be determined and configured by the BS according to the UE's capability report and the corresponding conditions (if any). For example, if UE reports that the UE supports simultaneously activation of at most N BWPs, then the BS can configure simultaneously activation of BWPs satisfying certain conditions. For example, the N BWPs share the same numerology, and N-1 of the N BWPs are associated one of the N BWPs (e.g., the largest BWP of the N BWPs includes, encompasses, or covers the rest of the N BWPs, and the rest of the N BWPs are within the boundaries of the largest BWP). Meanwhile, the BS can also configure or indicate if BWP switching delay is needed for the switching between two BWPs according to UE's capability report and the corresponding conditions (if any).

As stated above, a plurality of N BWPs that can be activated simultaneously for the UE202. In some examples, N−1 of the N BWPs are associated with one of the N BWPs. Dynamic BWP switching can be done via DCI indication in this case. In the example in which PDCCH in an active BWP (e.g., the first BWP) indicates a codepoint which is associated with a BWP (e.g., a second BWP) other than currently active BWP, BWP switching occurs. At this time, the PDSCH scheduled by the PDCCH will be transmitted in a newly activated BWP (e.g., the second BWP). In the example in which one codepoint is associated with two or more BWPs, identifying or selecting one of the two or more BWPs that will be used for the transmission of the PDSCH scheduled by the PDCCH is needed.

In those examples, when BWP switching (referred to generally as frequency resource switching) is performed via a PDCCH (referred to generally as first downlink information) from currently active BWP(s) (referred to generally as the first frequency resource) to the N BWPs, the BWP for the transmission of the PDSCH (referred to generally as second downlink information or downlink information scheduled by the first downlink information) scheduled by the PDCCH can be determined using methods300and400.

FIG.3is a flowchart diagram illustrating a method300for performing frequency resource switching, according to various arrangements. Referring toFIGS.1A-3the method300can be performed by the BS201and the UE202. As shown, blocks310and330are performed by the BS201, which represents the network (having one or more BSs such as the BS201) to which the UE202is connected. The UE202performs blocks320and340. The method300is a particular implementation of the method200. For example, block310is a particular implementation of block210, block320is a particular implementation of block220, block330is a particular implementation of block230, and block340is a particular implementation of block240.

At310, the network (e.g., the BS201) transmits first downlink information in the first frequency resource, where the first downlink information includes indication to a plurality of frequency resources. At320, the UE202receives the first downlink information in the first frequency resource, the first downlink information includes the indication to the plurality of frequency resources. In some examples, the first downlink information includes a PDCCH. The indication includes a DCI. The first frequency source is a first BWP. The plurality of frequency sources correspond to a plurality of N BWPs. The first BWP is different from each of the N BWPs in some examples, though a portion of the first BWP may overlap with a portion of one or more of the N BWPs. In other examples, the first BWP is one of the N BWPs. The second frequency resource (e.g., a second BWP) is at least one of the plurality of frequency resources (e.g., at least one of the N BWPs).

At330, in response to determining that the first downlink information indicates a codepoint corresponding to the plurality of frequency resources, the network (e.g., the BS201) disables scheduling any downlink transmission (e.g., PDSCH) using the first downlink information. At340, in response to determining that the first downlink information indicates the codepoint corresponding to the plurality of frequency resources, the UE202determines that scheduling any downlink transmission using the first downlink information is disabled.

Thus, in the method300, the network and the UE202have the common understanding that the first downlink information (e.g., the PDCCH) does not schedule any second downlink information (e.g., any PDSCH) when the first downlink information indicates the codepoint which is associated with N BWPs.

FIG.4is a flowchart diagram illustrating a method400for performing frequency resource switching, according to various arrangements. Referring toFIGS.1A-4the method400can be performed by the BS201and the UE202. As shown, blocks410and430are performed by the BS201, which represents the network (having one or more BSs such as the BS201) to which the UE202is connected. The UE202performs blocks420and440. The method400is a particular implementation of the method200. For example, block410is a particular implementation of block210, block420is a particular implementation of block220, block430is a particular implementation of block230, and block440is a particular implementation of block240.

At410, the network (e.g., the BS201) transmits first downlink information in the first frequency resource, where the first downlink information includes indication to a plurality of frequency resources. At420, the UE202receives the first downlink information in the first frequency resource, the first downlink information includes the indication to the plurality of frequency resources. In some examples, the first downlink information includes a PDCCH. The indication includes a DCI. The first frequency source is a first BWP. The plurality of frequency sources correspond to a plurality of N BWPs. The first BWP is different from each of the N BWPs in some examples, though a portion of the first BWP may overlap with a portion of one or more of the N BWPs. In other examples, the first BWP is one of the N BWPs. The second frequency resource (e.g., a second BWP) is at least one of the plurality of frequency resources (e.g., at least one of the N BWPs).

At430, the network (e.g., the BS201) transmits to the UE202second downlink information (e.g., PDSCH) based on the indication to the plurality of frequency resources. At440, the UE202receives from the network the second downlink information based on the indication to the plurality of frequency resources. The second downlink information (e.g., PDSCH) can be scheduled by the first downlink information (e.g., PDCCH).

In some example, the second frequency resource is at least one default frequency resource of the plurality of frequency resources. In other words, the second frequency resource is at least one default or predefined BWP of the N BWPs. In this manner, the UE202may not need the BS201to indicate which one of the N BWPs is used for the second downlink information.

In some examples, switching BWPs includes indicating, by the network (e.g., the BS201) to the UE202, the second frequency resource of the plurality of frequency resources via signaling (e.g., RRC signaling), and the second downlink information is transmitted to the UE in the second frequency resource indicated via the signaling. On the UE-side, switching BWPs includes receiving, by the UE202from the network, the indication of the second frequency resource of the plurality of frequency resources via the signaling, and the second downlink information is received from the network in the second frequency resource indicated via the signaling.

In particular, the BS201can use signaling (e.g., RRC signaling) to implicitly or explicitly indicate at least one BWP of the N BWPs that is used for the PDSCH transmission. In the example in which the BS201explicitly indicates the at least one BWP, the BS201can transmit signaling that includes an index number, BWP name, or another suitable identifier of each of the at least one BWP in which the PDSCH transmission is to be transmitted. The UE202, upon receiving such signaling, can directly identify the at least one BWP in which the PDSCH transmission is to be transmitted.

In the example in which the BS201implicitly indicates the at least one BWP, the BS201does not transmit any direct indication of the at least one BWP in which the PDSCH transmission is to be transmitted. Instead, for example, the first BWP in which the PDCCH is transmitted is associated with the at least one second BWP via certain predefined association or mapping, the UE202and the network share the understanding that the PDSCH scheduled by the PDCCH is to be communicated to the UE202in the at least one second BWP associated with or mapped to the first BWP.

In some examples, the bandwidth of the selected at least one second frequency resource of the plurality of frequency resources is closest to a bandwidth of the first frequency resource (in which the activation DCI is sent). In some examples, the bandwidth of the selected at least one second frequency resource is less than the bandwidth of the first frequency resource (in which the activation DCI is sent).

As stated above, a plurality of N BWPs that can be activated simultaneously for the UE202. In some examples, N−1 of the N BWPs are associated with one of the N BWPs. Dynamic BWP switching can also be done via one or more timers.FIG.5relates to a dynamic BWP switching method using one timer for the N BWPs.FIG.6relates to a dynamic BWP switching method using one timer for each of the N BWPs.

FIG.5is a flowchart diagram illustrating a method500for performing frequency resource switching using one timer for multiple frequency resources that can be activated simultaneously, according to various arrangements. Referring toFIGS.1A-5the method500can be performed by the BS201and the UE202. As shown, blocks510,530, and550are performed by the BS201, which represents the network (having one or more BSs such as the BS201) to which the UE202is connected. The UE202performs blocks520,540, and560. The method500is a particular implementation of the method200. For example, blocks510,530, and550are a particular implementation of block210, and blocks520,540, and560are a particular implementation of block220. In this case, the frequency resource of the method200refers to the N simultaneously, currently active BWPs.

At510and520, the BS201and the UE202are communicating with one another in a frequency resource (e.g., one or more BWPs) of the plurality of frequency resources (e.g., the N BWPs). At510and520, any suitable information or data can be communicated. The N BWPs are associated with a same codepoint, or some of the N BWPs are associated with one of the N BWPs.

At530and540, the BS201and the UE202, respectively, can determine whether one timer for all of the frequency resources has expired. That is, only one timer is implemented for the N BWPs that are associated with one codepoint, or for the N BWPs for which some of the N BWPs are associated with one of the N BWPs. In response to determining that the one timer for all of the frequency resources has not expired (530:NO;540:NO), the method500returns to510and520. In particular, in response to the BS201transmitting or receiving any information or data in any of the plurality of frequency resources, the timer resets. Similarly, in response to the UE202transmitting or receiving any information or data in any of the plurality of frequency resources, the timer resets.

On the other hand, in response to determining that the timer has expired (530:NO;540:NO), at550and560, respectively, the BS201and the UE202activates the second frequency resource for subsequent communication. The second frequency can be a predefined or default BWP. The plurality of frequency resources activated at510and520are deactivated at550and560.

FIG.6is a flowchart diagram illustrating a method600for performing frequency resource switching using one timer for each of the multiple frequency resources that can be activated simultaneously, according to various arrangements. Referring toFIGS.1A-6the method600can be performed by the BS201and the UE202. As shown, blocks610,630, and650are performed by the BS201, which represents the network (having one or more BSs such as the BS201) to which the UE202is connected. The UE202performs blocks620,640, and660. The method600is a particular implementation of the method200. For example, blocks610,630, and650are a particular implementation of block210, and blocks620,640, and660are a particular implementation of block220. In this case, the frequency resource of the method200refers to the N simultaneously, currently active BWPs.

At610and620, the BS201and the UE202are communicating with one another in a frequency resource (e.g., one or more BWPs) of the plurality of frequency resources (e.g., the N BWPs). At610and620, any suitable information or data can be communicated. The N BWPs are associated with a same codepoint, or some of the N BWPs are associated with one of the N BWPs.

At630and640, the BS201and the UE202, respectively, can determine whether all timers for all of the frequency resources have expired. That is, one timer is implemented for each of the N BWPs that are associated with one codepoint, or for the N BWPs for which some of the N BWPs are associated with one of the N BWPs. In response to determining that all timers for all of the frequency resources have not expired (630:NO;640:NO), the method600returns to610and620. In particular, in response to the BS201transmitting or receiving any information or data in any one of the plurality of frequency resources, the timer for that frequency resource resets. Similarly, in response to the UE202transmitting or receiving any information or data in any one of the plurality of frequency resources, the timer for that frequency resource resets.

On the other hand, in response to determining that all timers have expired (630:NO;640:NO), at650and660, respectively, the BS201and the UE202activates the second frequency resource for subsequent communication. The second frequency can be a predefined or default BWP. The plurality of frequency resources activated at610and620are deactivated at550and560.

In the examples in which two or more BWPs are activated, each codepoint in the BWP indicator field is associated with one BWP (e.g., one frequency resource), although two or more BWPs (frequency resources) can be activated simultaneously for the UE202. For example, the BS201configures three BWPs for the UE. A first BWP and a third BWP are capable of being activated simultaneously, and a second cannot be activated when any of the first BWP or the third BWP is activated. In response to switching from the first BWP (or the third BWP) to the second BWP, the third BWP (or the first BWP) is automatically deactivated. In addition, in response to switching from the second BWP back to the first BWP (or third BWP), the third BWP (or the first BWP) is automatically activated in the scenario in which if the previous deactivation of the third BWP (or the first BWP) is due to witching from the first BWP (or the third BWP) to the second BWP.FIG.7illustrates this concept.

FIG.7is a flowchart diagram illustrating a method700for performing frequency resource switching, according to various arrangements. Referring toFIGS.1A-7the method700can be performed by the BS201and the UE202. As shown, blocks705,715,725,735, and745are performed by the BS201, which represents the network (having one or more BSs such as the BS201) to which the UE202is connected. The UE202performs blocks710,720,730,740, and750.

At705and710, the BS201and the UE202are communicating with one another in a first frequency resource (e.g., first BWP) while a third frequency resource (e.g., third BWP) is activated. At705and710, any suitable information or data can be communicated. The one BWP is associated with one codepoint in the BWP indicator field of the DCI transmitted by the BS201. The first and third frequency resources can be activated at the same time. Neither of the first frequency resource nor the third frequency resource can be activated simultaneously with the second frequency resource due to UE capabilities, BS configurations, network conditions, or another factor.

At715and720, the BS201and the UE202respectively switches to communicating with each other in a second frequency resource from communicating with each other in the first frequency resource. The switching methods can be any of those disclosed herein. For example, the BS201can transmit to the UE202the first downlink information (e.g., PDCCH) in the first frequency resource, where the first downlink information includes an indication (e.g., DCI, particularly, a codepoint in the BWP indicator of the DCI) to the second frequency resource.

At725and730, the BS201and the UE202deactivates the third frequency resource, respectively, given that the third frequency resource cannot be activated with the second frequency resource simultaneously. Block725is automatically performed in response to block715, and block730is automatically performed in response to block720.

At735and740, the BS201and the UE202respectively switches back to communicating with each other in the first frequency resource. In response, at745and750, the BS201and the UE202activate the third frequency resource, respectively. Block745is automatically performed in response to block735in response to determining that the only reason for which the third frequency resource is deactivated in the first place (e.g., at725) is due to switching to the second frequency resource (e.g., due to incompatibility with the second frequency resource and no other reason). Block750is automatically performed in response to block740in response to determining that the only reason for which the third frequency resource is deactivated in the first place (e.g., at730) is due to switching to the second frequency resource (e.g., due to incompatibility with the second frequency resource and no other reason).

On the other hand, in response to determining that the third frequency resource is deactivated due to another reason (e.g., network conditions), the BS201can reactivate the third frequency resource by sending signaling (e.g., RRC signaling) to the UE202.

Various implementations described herein related to the BS201and the UE202communicating in a frequency resource (e.g., a BWP). Communicating in a given frequency resource refers to communicating (e.g., transmitting or receiving) information or data using at least a portion but not all of the frequency resource in some examples, and using all of the frequency resource in other examples.

The terms “configured for,” “configured to” and conjugations thereof, as used herein with respect to a specified operation or function, refer to a device, component, circuit, structure, machine, signal, etc., that is physically constructed, programmed, formatted and/or arranged to perform the specified operation or function.