Aggregation factor associations in uplink and downlink transmissions

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A user equipment (UE) may receive, from a base station, a control signal indicating a resource allocation for either an uplink transmission or a downlink transmission. The UE may identify, based at least in part on a modulation and coding scheme indicated in the control signal, an aggregation factor of the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission. The UE may communicate with the base station by either transmitting the uplink transmission or receiving the downlink transmission in accordance with the resource allocation and the aggregation factor.

BACKGROUND

The following relates generally to wireless communications, and more specifically to aggregation factor associations in uplink and downlink transmissions.

Wireless communication systems typically support a variety of transmission modes. The transmission modes may be configured for uplink transmissions and/or downlink transmissions. As one example, the uplink transmission modes may support a downlink control information (DCI)-based uplink transmission where the DCI (or control) signal configures resources for the uplink transmission. In some aspects, the uplink transmissions may have an associated redundancy requirement to improve reliability of the uplink transmission. Accordingly, the uplink transmission may have an associated aggregation factor (also known as a repetition factor) where the uplink information is transmitted multiple-times over multiple-slots. In this scenario, the resource allocation is generally conveyed in the DCI, and is used in all slots. However, conventional techniques configure the aggregation factor semi-statically. As one example, the aggregation factor is generally signaled in the grant configuring the resources for the uplink transmission. As another example, the aggregation factor may be activation-based, e.g., activating one or more preconfigured resources for the uplink transmission. However, conventional techniques do not provide a mechanism to provide dynamic indication of the aggregation factor, which results in increased resource usage as the aggregation factor (or aggregation level (AL)) must be signaled using one or more bits, fields, and the like.

SUMMARY

The described techniques relate to improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses that support aggregation factor associations in uplink and downlink transmissions. Generally, the described techniques provide for various mechanisms that improve aggregated wireless communications. In some aspects, the described techniques provide a mechanism for a control signal (e.g., a downlink control information (DCI) signal) that carries or conveys (explicitly and/or implicitly) an indication of a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) that is linked or otherwise associated with an aggregation factor (or repetition factor) to be used for wireless communications. For example, the DCI may configure or otherwise indicate the MCS to be used for the wireless communications, which implicitly indicates the aggregation factor to be used during the wireless communications. In some aspects, the wireless communications may be uplink or downlink, with the associated user equipment (UE) and/or base station adopting or otherwise implementing the described techniques. For example, a UE may receive the control signal (e.g., DCI) that carries or conveys an indication of a resource allocation for uplink or downlink transmissions and identify, based on the MCS, the aggregation factor to use for the uplink or downlink transmission. The UE may use the resource allocation indicated in the control signal along with the aggregation factor to communicate with the base station, e.g., transmitting uplink transmission to the base station or receiving a downlink transmission from the base station. The base station may identify the aggregation factor to be used for the wireless communications and configure the control signal to indicate the appropriate corresponding MCS.

In some aspects, the described techniques may be used to support indicating the aggregation factor for a grant-less transmission (e.g., an autonomous uplink (AUL) transmission). For example, a plurality of configurations may be available for the UE to use for AUL transmissions. In some aspects, each of the available configurations may have an associated aggregation factor. Accordingly, depending on the aggregation factor that the UE wishes to use during the AUL transmissions, the UE may select one of the configurations and transmit the AUL transmissions according to the selected configuration. Accordingly, the UE selecting a particular configuration for an AUL transmission implicitly carries or conveys an indication of the aggregation factor to be used during the AUL transmission.

In some aspects, the described techniques may also provide a mechanism for improved reference signal repetition during wireless communications. For example, a plurality of configurations may be supported for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals. The UE may receive a control signal (e.g., a DCI) that carries or conveys an indication of at least one of the configurations to be used for the UE for monitoring the repetition-based channel state reference signals. As each configuration may be associated with a separate aggregation factor, the UE may identify the aggregation factor based on either the indication provided in the control signal or one of the designated configurations. That is, the UE may select one of the configurations for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals from the selected configurations and/or the selected configuration may be overridden in the control signal. Accordingly, the UE may monitor the repetition-based channel state reference signals based on the selected configuration or the configuration indicated in the control signal.

A method of wireless communications at a UE is described. The method may include receiving, from a base station, a control signal indicating a resource allocation for either an uplink transmission or a downlink transmission, identifying, based on a modulation and coding scheme indicated in the control signal, an aggregation factor of the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission, and communicating with the base station by either transmitting the uplink transmission or receiving the downlink transmission in accordance with the resource allocation and the aggregation factor.

An apparatus for wireless communications at a UE is described. The apparatus may include a processor, memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to receive, from a base station, a control signal indicating a resource allocation for either an uplink transmission or a downlink transmission, identify, based on a modulation and coding scheme indicated in the control signal, an aggregation factor of the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission, and communicate with the base station by either transmitting the uplink transmission or receiving the downlink transmission in accordance with the resource allocation and the aggregation factor.

Another apparatus for wireless communications at a UE is described. The apparatus may include means for receiving, from a base station, a control signal indicating a resource allocation for either an uplink transmission or a downlink transmission, identifying, based on a modulation and coding scheme indicated in the control signal, an aggregation factor of the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission, and communicating with the base station by either transmitting the uplink transmission or receiving the downlink transmission in accordance with the resource allocation and the aggregation factor.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communications at a UE is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to receive, from a base station, a control signal indicating a resource allocation for either an uplink transmission or a downlink transmission, identify, based on a modulation and coding scheme indicated in the control signal, an aggregation factor of the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission, and communicate with the base station by either transmitting the uplink transmission or receiving the downlink transmission in accordance with the resource allocation and the aggregation factor.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, identifying the aggregation factor may include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying that the modulation and coding scheme indicated in the control signal may be associated with the aggregation factor.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the aggregation factor may be dynamically indicated via the control signal.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for measuring channel quality, determining, based at least on the measured channel quality, a channel quality indicator that may be associated with a quality threshold and a requested aggregation factor, where transmissions to the UE using the requested aggregation factor may be expected by the UE to satisfy the quality threshold, and transmitting the channel quality indicator to the base station, where the modulation and coding scheme indicated in the control signal may be based on the requested aggregation factor associated with the channel quality indicator.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, determining the channel quality indicator may include operations, features, means, or instructions for selecting the channel quality indicator from a table or from a portion of a table whose entries may be each associated with respective aggregation factors.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for monitoring for the control signal at predefined symbol locations within a slot or mini-slot, where the predefined symbol locations may be associated with a length of one or more mini-slots in the slot.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, communicating with the base station may include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting the uplink transmission or receiving the downlink transmission such that a first symbol of the uplink transmission or downlink transmission may be transmitted or received only at predefined symbol locations within a slot or mini-slot, where the predefined symbol locations may be associated with a length of one or more mini-slots in the slot.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for comparing the resource allocation with the predefined symbol locations, and determining to communicate with the base station and in accordance with the resource allocation based on the comparing.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving multiple control signals from the base station, each control signal indicating different resource allocations for communications with the base station, determining that the resource allocations from the multiple control signals overlap, and communicating with the base station using the resource allocation from a last of the multiple control signals.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying that repetitions of either the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission will span more than one slot, receiving configuration information regarding a future slot to be spanned by the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission, and identifying, based on the configuration information, one or more mini-slots to be used in the future slot for the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying that repetitions of either the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission will span more than one slot, decoding a slot format and control region size of a future slot to be spanned by the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission, and identifying, based on the decoding, one or more mini-slots to be used in the future slot for the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying a demodulation reference signal configuration to be used in association with the communicating, where the demodulation reference signal configuration may be associated with the aggregation factor.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, identifying the demodulation reference signal configuration may include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving an indication of the demodulation reference signal configuration in the control signal.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, identifying the demodulation reference signal configuration may include operations, features, means, or instructions for determining the demodulation reference signal configuration based on the aggregation factor.

A method of wireless communications at a UE is described. The method may include identifying multiple configurations available to the UE for autonomous uplink transmissions, each of the multiple configurations being associated with an aggregation factor, selecting one of the multiple configurations for autonomous uplink transmissions, and transmitting the autonomous uplink transmissions in accordance with the selected configuration.

An apparatus for wireless communications at a UE is described. The apparatus may include a processor, memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to identify multiple configurations available to the UE for autonomous uplink transmissions, each of the multiple configurations being associated with an aggregation factor, select one of the multiple configurations for autonomous uplink transmissions, and transmit the autonomous uplink transmissions in accordance with the selected configuration.

Another apparatus for wireless communications at a UE is described. The apparatus may include means for identifying multiple configurations available to the UE for autonomous uplink transmissions, each of the multiple configurations being associated with an aggregation factor, selecting one of the multiple configurations for autonomous uplink transmissions, and transmitting the autonomous uplink transmissions in accordance with the selected configuration.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communications at a UE is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to identify multiple configurations available to the UE for autonomous uplink transmissions, each of the multiple configurations being associated with an aggregation factor, select one of the multiple configurations for autonomous uplink transmissions, and transmit the autonomous uplink transmissions in accordance with the selected configuration.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, selecting the one of the multiple configurations may include operations, features, means, or instructions for selecting the one of the multiple configurations based on a transport block size, a modulation and coding scheme, a starting symbol for the autonomous uplink transmissions, or combinations thereof.

A method of wireless communications at a UE is described. The method may include identifying multiple configurations for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals, receiving a control signal that is indicative of a designated configuration to be used by the UE for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals, the designated configuration being one of the multiple configurations, identifying an aggregation factor based on the control signal or the designated configuration, and monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals based on at least one of the designated configuration or the aggregation factor.

An apparatus for wireless communications at a UE is described. The apparatus may include a processor, memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to identify multiple configurations for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals, receive a control signal that is indicative of a designated configuration to be used by the UE for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals, the designated configuration being one of the multiple configurations, identify an aggregation factor based on the control signal or the designated configuration, and monitor repetition-based channel state reference signals based on at least one of the designated configuration or the aggregation factor.

Another apparatus for wireless communications at a UE is described. The apparatus may include means for identifying multiple configurations for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals, receiving a control signal that is indicative of a designated configuration to be used by the UE for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals, the designated configuration being one of the multiple configurations, identifying an aggregation factor based on the control signal or the designated configuration, and monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals based on at least one of the designated configuration or the aggregation factor.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communications at a UE is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to identify multiple configurations for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals, receive a control signal that is indicative of a designated configuration to be used by the UE for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals, the designated configuration being one of the multiple configurations, identify an aggregation factor based on the control signal or the designated configuration, and monitor repetition-based channel state reference signals based on at least one of the designated configuration or the aggregation factor.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, receiving the control signal may include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving an explicit indication of the designated configuration in the control signal.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying the designated configuration based on the aggregation factor.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, monitoring may include operations, features, means, or instructions for monitoring only a number of signals associated with the aggregation factor regardless of a number of repetitions included in the designated configuration.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving a signal indicating that the UE may be to combine none, some, or all of the repetition-based channel state reference signals.

A method of wireless communications at a base station is described. The method may include identifying an aggregation factor associated with either an uplink transmission to be received from a UE or a downlink transmission to be transmitted to the UE, transmitting, to the UE, a control signal indicating a resource allocation for either the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission, where the control signal indicates a modulation and coding scheme associated with the aggregation factor, and communicating with the UE by either receiving the uplink transmission or transmitting the downlink transmission in accordance with the resource allocation and the aggregation factor.

An apparatus for wireless communications at a base station is described. The apparatus may include a processor, memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to identify an aggregation factor associated with either an uplink transmission to be received from a UE or a downlink transmission to be transmitted to the UE, transmit, to the UE, a control signal indicating a resource allocation for either the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission, where the control signal indicates a modulation and coding scheme associated with the aggregation factor, and communicate with the UE by either receiving the uplink transmission or transmitting the downlink transmission in accordance with the resource allocation and the aggregation factor.

Another apparatus for wireless communications at a base station is described. The apparatus may include means for identifying an aggregation factor associated with either an uplink transmission to be received from a UE or a downlink transmission to be transmitted to the UE, transmitting, to the UE, a control signal indicating a resource allocation for either the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission, where the control signal indicates a modulation and coding scheme associated with the aggregation factor, and communicating with the UE by either receiving the uplink transmission or transmitting the downlink transmission in accordance with the resource allocation and the aggregation factor.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communications at a base station is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to identify an aggregation factor associated with either an uplink transmission to be received from a UE or a downlink transmission to be transmitted to the UE, transmit, to the UE, a control signal indicating a resource allocation for either the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission, where the control signal indicates a modulation and coding scheme associated with the aggregation factor, and communicate with the UE by either receiving the uplink transmission or transmitting the downlink transmission in accordance with the resource allocation and the aggregation factor.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the aggregation factor may be dynamically indicated to the UE via the control signal.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, identifying the aggregation factor may include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving a channel quality indicator from the UE, where the channel quality indicator may be associated with a requested aggregation factor such that transmissions to the UE using the requested aggregation factor may be expected by the UE to satisfy a quality threshold associated with the channel quality indicator, and setting the aggregation factor to be equal to the requested aggregation factor.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the channel quality indicator may be from a table or from a portion of a table whose entries may be each associated with respective aggregation factors.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, communicating with the UE may include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving the uplink transmission or transmitting the downlink transmission such that a first symbol of the uplink transmission or downlink transmission may be received or transmitted only at predefined symbol locations within a slot or mini-slot, where the predefined symbol locations may be associated with a length of one or more mini-slots in the slot.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying that repetitions of either the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission will span more than one slot, transmitting configuration information regarding a future slot to be spanned by the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission, and identifying, based on the configuration information, one or more mini-slots to be used in the future slot for the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying a demodulation reference signal configuration to be used in association with the communicating, where the demodulation reference signal configuration may be associated with the aggregation factor.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting to the UE an indication of the demodulation reference signal configuration in the control signal.

A method of wireless communications at a base station is described. The method may include identifying multiple configurations available to a UE for autonomous uplink transmissions, each of the multiple configurations being associated with an aggregation factor and receiving the autonomous uplink transmissions in accordance with a configuration of the multiple configurations selected by the UE.

An apparatus for wireless communications at a base station is described. The apparatus may include a processor, memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to identify multiple configurations available to a UE for autonomous uplink transmissions, each of the multiple configurations being associated with an aggregation factor and receive the autonomous uplink transmissions in accordance with a configuration of the multiple configurations selected by the UE.

Another apparatus for wireless communications at a base station is described. The apparatus may include means for identifying multiple configurations available to a UE for autonomous uplink transmissions, each of the multiple configurations being associated with an aggregation factor and receiving the autonomous uplink transmissions in accordance with a configuration of the multiple configurations selected by the UE.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communications at a base station is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to identify multiple configurations available to a UE for autonomous uplink transmissions, each of the multiple configurations being associated with an aggregation factor and receive the autonomous uplink transmissions in accordance with a configuration of the multiple configurations selected by the UE.

A method of wireless communications at a base station is described. The method may include identifying multiple configurations for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals and transmitting a control signal to a UE that is indicative of a designated configuration to be used by the UE for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals, the designated configuration being one of the multiple configurations, where at least one of the control signal or the designated configuration being indicative of an aggregation factor.

An apparatus for wireless communications at a base station is described. The apparatus may include a processor, memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to identify multiple configurations for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals and transmit a control signal to a UE that is indicative of a designated configuration to be used by the UE for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals, the designated configuration being one of the multiple configurations, where at least one of the control signal or the designated configuration being indicative of an aggregation factor.

Another apparatus for wireless communications at a base station is described. The apparatus may include means for identifying multiple configurations for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals and transmitting a control signal to a UE that is indicative of a designated configuration to be used by the UE for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals, the designated configuration being one of the multiple configurations, where at least one of the control signal or the designated configuration being indicative of an aggregation factor.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communications at a base station is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to identify multiple configurations for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals and transmit a control signal to a UE that is indicative of a designated configuration to be used by the UE for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals, the designated configuration being one of the multiple configurations, where at least one of the control signal or the designated configuration being indicative of an aggregation factor.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, transmitting the control signal may include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting an explicit indication of the designated configuration in the control signal.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting a signal indicating that the UE may be to combine none, some, or all of the repetition-based channel state reference signals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Wireless communication systems typically support a variety of transmission modes. The transmission modes may be configured for uplink transmissions and/or downlink transmissions. As one example, the uplink transmission modes may support a downlink control information (DCI)-based uplink transmission where the DCI (or control) signal configures resources for the uplink transmission. In some aspects, the uplink transmissions may have an associated redundancy requirement to improve reliability of the uplink transmission. Accordingly, the uplink transmission may have an associated aggregation factor (also known as a repetition factor) where the uplink information is transmitted multiple-times over multiple-slots. In this scenario, the resource allocation is generally conveyed in the DCI, and is used in all slots. However, conventional techniques configure the aggregation factor semi-statically. As one example, the aggregation factor is generally signaled in the grant configuring the resources for the uplink transmission. As another example, the aggregation factor may be activation-based, e.g., activating one or more preconfigured resources for the uplink transmission. However, conventional techniques do not provide a mechanism to provide dynamic indication of the aggregation factor, which results in increased resource usage as the aggregation factor (or aggregation level (AL)) must be signaled using one or more bits, fields, and the like.

Aspects of the disclosure are initially described in the context of a wireless communications system. The described techniques relate to improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses that support aggregation factor associations in uplink and downlink transmissions. Generally, the described techniques provide for various mechanisms that improve aggregated wireless communications. In some aspects, the described techniques provide a mechanism for a control signal (e.g., a downlink control information (DCI) signal) that carries or conveys (explicitly and/or implicitly) an indication of a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) that is linked or otherwise associated with an aggregation factor (or repetition factor) to be used for wireless communications. For example, the DCI may configure or otherwise indicate the MCS to be used for the wireless communications, which implicitly indicates the aggregation factor to be used during the wireless communications. In some aspects, the wireless communications may be uplink or downlink, with the associated user equipment (UE) and/or base station adopting or otherwise implementing the described techniques. For example, a UE may receive the control signal (e.g., DCI) that carries or conveys an indication of a resource allocation for uplink or downlink transmissions and identify, based on the MCS, the aggregation factor to use for the uplink or downlink transmission. The UE may use the resource allocation indicated in the control signal along with the aggregation factor to communicate with the base station, e.g., transmitting an uplink transmission to the base station or receiving a downlink transmission from the base station. The base station may identify the aggregation factor to be used for the wireless communications and configure the control signal to indicate the appropriate corresponding MCS.

In some aspects, the described techniques may be used to support indicating the aggregation factor for a grant-less transmission (e.g., an autonomous uplink (AUL) transmission). For example, a plurality of configurations may be available for the UE to use for AUL transmissions. In some aspects, each of the available configurations may have an associated aggregation factor. Accordingly, depending on the aggregation factor that the UE wishes to use during the AUL transmissions, the UE may select one of the configurations and transmit the AUL transmissions according to the selected configuration. Accordingly, the UE selecting a particular configuration for an AUL transmission implicitly carries or conveys an indication of the aggregation factor to be used during the AUL transmission.

In some aspects, the described techniques may also provide a mechanism for improved reference signal repetition during wireless communications. For example, a plurality configurations may be supported for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals. The UE may receive a control signal (e.g., a DCI) that carries or conveys an indication of at least one of the configurations to be used for the UE for monitoring the repetition-based channel state reference signals. As each configuration may be associated with a separate aggregation factor, the UE may identify the aggregation factor based on either the indication provided in the control signal or one of the designated configurations. That is, the UE may select one of the configurations for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals from the selected configurations and/or the selected configuration may be overridden in the control signal. Accordingly, the UE may monitor the repetition-based channel state reference signals based on the selected configuration or the configuration indicated in the control signal.

Aspects of the disclosure are further illustrated by and described with reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flowcharts that relate to aggregation factor associations in uplink and downlink transmissions.

In some aspects, a UE115may receive, from a base station105, a control signal indicating a resource allocation for either an uplink transmission or a downlink transmission. The UE115may identify, based at least in part on a modulation and coding scheme indicated in the control signal, an aggregation factor of the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission. The UE115may communicate with the base station105by either transmitting the uplink transmission or receiving the downlink transmission in accordance with the resource allocation and the aggregation factor.

In some aspects, a UE115may identify multiple configurations available to the UE for autonomous uplink transmissions, each of the multiple configurations being associated with an aggregation factor. The UE115may select one of the multiple configurations for autonomous uplink transmissions. The UE115may transmit the autonomous uplink transmissions in accordance with the selected configuration.

In some aspects, a UE115may identify multiple configurations for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals. The UE115may receive a control signal that is indicative of a designated configuration to be used by the UE for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals, the designated configuration being one of the multiple configurations. The UE115may identify an aggregation factor based at least in part on the control signal or the designated configuration. The UE115may monitor repetition-based channel state reference signals based at least in part on at least one of the designated configuration or the aggregation factor.

In some aspects, a base station105may identify an aggregation factor associated with either an uplink transmission to be received from a UE115or a downlink transmission to be transmitted to the UE115. The base station105may transmit, to the UE115, a control signal indicating a resource allocation for either the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission, wherein the control signal indicates a modulation and coding scheme associated with the aggregation factor. The base station105may communicate with the UE115by either receiving the uplink transmission or transmitting the downlink transmission in accordance with the resource allocation and the aggregation factor.

In some aspects, a base station105may identify multiple configurations available to a UE115for autonomous uplink transmissions, each of the multiple configurations being associated with an aggregation factor. The base station105may receive the autonomous uplink transmissions in accordance with a configuration of the multiple configurations selected by the UE115.

In some aspects, a base station105may identify multiple configurations for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals. The base station105may transmit a control signal to a UE115that is indicative of a designated configuration to be used by the UE115for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals, the designated configuration being one of the multiple configurations, wherein at least one of the control signal or the designated configuration being indicative of an aggregation factor.

FIG.2illustrates an example of a wireless communication system200that supports aggregation factor associations in uplink and downlink transmissions in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, wireless communication system200may implement aspects of wireless communications system100. Generally, wireless communications system200may include a base station205and UE210, which may be examples of corresponding devices described herein. Generally, base station205may be considered a serving base station from the perspective of UE210.

In some aspects, wireless communication system200may be configured to support various communication modes between base station205and UE210. In some examples, the communication modes may include uplink communications from UE210to base station205and/or downlink communications from base station205to UE210. In some aspects, wireless communications may be DCI-based where a control signal (e.g., DCI) carries or conveys the resources for the wireless communications. In some aspects, wireless communications may be aggregated. For example, wireless communication system200may support aggregated uplink communications and/or aggregated downlink communications.

In some aspects, aggregated communications generally include the uplink information and/or downlink information (e.g., such as a TB) being sent multiple times over multiple slots. Generally, the resource allocation (e.g., time, frequency, and/or spatial resource) is generally carried or conveyed in the DCI and is used in each slot. Aggregated communications typically have an associated aggregation factor that indicates the number of times that transmission of the information is to be repeated. In some aspects, the aggregation factor may also be considered a repetition factor for the wireless communications. Conventionally, the aggregation factor may be semi-statically configured and/or may be initiated by the DCI (e.g., dynamic). In some aspects, wireless communications may be grant-free communications, such as AUL communications. Within the context of a grant-free communications, conventional techniques may include a mode1where the grant for the AUL transmissions also signals or otherwise conveys the indication of the aggregation factor or a mode2where the resources for the AUL transmissions are preconfigured, but are activation-based, e.g., activated in the DCI. Aspects of the described techniques provide various techniques that improve or otherwise enhance any of the described communication modes.

In a first enhancement, aspects of the described techniques provide for dynamic indication of the aggregation factor. Within the context of dynamic wireless communications with repetition and/or for an activation-based AUL transmission, conventional techniques include a particular bit or field in the DCI that carries or conveys the indication of the aggregation factor. However, this approach increases the size of the DCI, which requires additional resources to be used.

Some aspects of the described techniques provide a mechanism to implicitly signal or otherwise convey an aggregation factor to be used for wireless communications. Generally, these techniques may include associating or otherwise having one or more of the parameters to be used for the wireless communications associated with a particular aggregation factor. As one non-limiting example, different MCS values or indices may be associated with different aggregation factors. For example, a first MCS may be associated with a first aggregation factor, a second MCS may be associated with a second aggregation factor, and so forth. Accordingly, the wireless devices (such as base station205and/or UE210) may each be configured such that, for each MCS, the corresponding aggregation factor is known beforehand. Accordingly, selecting or otherwise using a particular MCS may also carry or convey an implicit indication that a particular aggregation factor is to be used for the wireless communications.

As one example in an uplink scenario, base station205may select resources (e.g., time, frequency, spatial, and the like) as well as various communication parameters for the uplink transmission. In some aspects, base station205may know or otherwise determine which aggregation factor is to be used for the uplink transmissions and select a corresponding MCS value as one of the communication parameters. Accordingly, base station205may configure a control signal (e.g., a DCI) to carry or otherwise convey an indication of the resource grant or allocation as well as an indication of the various communication parameters (including the selected MCS). UE210may receive the control signal and identify, based on the MCS, the aggregation factor to be used for the uplink transmission. For example, UE210may access a look up table or other configured set of information to determine which aggregation factor is associated with the indicated MCS. Accordingly, UE210may transmit the uplink transmissions to base station205using the indicated resource allocations and communication parameters, with the aggregation factor for the uplink transmission being based on the indicated MCS.

As another example and for downlink communications, base station205may select resources as well as various communication parameters for the downlink transmissions. Base station205may know or otherwise determine the aggregation factor to be used for the downlink transmission and select a particular MCS that corresponds to that aggregation factor. Base station205may transmit a control signal to UE210that carries or conveys the indication of the resource allocation as well as the communication parameters (including the MCS). UE210may receive the control signal and use the indicated MCS to determine which aggregation factor will be used for the downlink transmission. The base station205may perform the downlink transmission to UE210using the indicated resources and according to the aggregation factor.

In some aspects, the available MCS values may be based at least in part on the number of available aggregation factors. For example, UE210may support various aggregation factors in order to meet certain redundancy or reliability requirements. In some aspects, this may include a particularly high redundancy or reliability requirement being associated with a lower MCS values (e.g., reliability may be favored over throughput). Accordingly, in some aspects high MCS values may be removed from the available MCS values (e.g., MCS tables), with lower MCS value(s) being added. In some aspects, each of the new lower MCS values may be associated with or otherwise correspond to a particular aggregation factor. In some aspects, a new MCS table may be used, with the MCS values in the new MCS table being associated with corresponding aggregation factors.

In some aspects, dynamically signaling the aggregation factor in the DCI (either implicitly or explicitly) may provide a mechanism to dynamically change the aggregation factor for wireless communications. In the context of an AUL transmission, aspects of the described techniques provide a mechanism to dynamically change the aggregation factor. For example, UE210may be configured with a plurality of configurations to use for AUL transmissions. Generally, each AUL configuration may have an associated or corresponding aggregation factor. Accordingly, UE210, by selecting a particular configuration to use for an AUL transmission, may implicitly select the aggregation factor to be used for the AUL transmission. For example, UE210may select a first configuration that corresponds to a first aggregation factor and perform the AUL transmission according to the first configuration with the corresponding first aggregation factor. In some aspects, UE210may select the configuration based on a variety of factors, e.g., based on a transport block size, the MCS, a starting symbol for the AUL transmission, and the like. Accordingly, base station205may receive the AUL transmission on a configured set of resources (e.g. according to the configuration selected by UE210) and identify or otherwise determine the aggregation factor to be used during the AUL transmission based on the configured set of resources.

In some aspects, the described techniques may be used to improve channel performance reporting by UE210when aggregation is implemented. For example, in some examples repetition may be used at a lower spectral efficiency. Conventional techniques, however, do not provide for the UE to consider repetition or aggregation when calculating its channel performance (e.g., channel quality indicator (CQI)). However, aspects of the described techniques provide a mechanism by which UE210may use repetition or aggregation when computing its CQI, in order to provide a more useful channel performance report to base station205. In some examples, this may include one or more new entries being provided in a CQI table, with each new entry being associated with a particular aggregation factor. The new entries may be added to the current CQI tables (e.g., by removing some indices associated with higher special efficiencies) or by implementing a new CQI table. Accordingly, UE210may measure the channel quality and determine, based on the channel quality, a CQI that is associated with the quality threshold and requested aggregation factor. Generally, transmissions from base station205the UE210using the requested aggregation factor may be expected or otherwise configured to satisfy the quality threshold. In some aspects, UE210may transmit the CQI to the base station205, with the MCS indicated in the control signal corresponding to the requested aggregation factor associated with the CQI.

In some aspects, the described techniques may be used to improve reference signal repetition during a wireless communication. For example, when repetition or aggregation is adopted in a downlink transmission, the corresponding reference signal (e.g., channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS)) may also be repeated. According to conventional techniques, within downlink slot aggregation, the control signal (e.g., DCI) may only be able to trigger the CSI-RS over the allocation in the first slot. This approach, however, is impractical in the situation where the downlink transmission has an aggregation factor of greater than one.

Accordingly, aspects of the described techniques provide improved mechanisms to support signaling repeated reference signal information for use during a downlink transmission. In some aspects, multiple configurations (e.g., CSI-RS configurations) may be supported for UE210. In some aspects, each configuration may be associated with UE210monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals (e.g., CSI-RSs). In some aspects, each configuration may be associated with or otherwise correspond to a particular aggregation factor. As one example, if the aggregation factor is set to 4, one of the available configurations may include resources or other information to support the reference signals and for repetition instances. In some aspects, the particular configuration to be used by UE210may be explicitly signaled in the DCI and/or implicitly indicated based on the aggregation factor.

In some aspects, the configurations for monitoring the repetition-based channel state reference signals may have a fixed length, e.g., may be based on the maximum aggregation factor. As one example, if the aggregation factor that is signaled is smaller than the maximum aggregation factor, UE210may use the information for the first few (e.g., the signaled aggregation factor) CSI-RS configurations. That is, if the CSI-RS information is given for 6 repetition instances, but the signal aggregation factor is for four, the information for the first4instances of the repetition may be used.

In some aspects, based on the signaling, the CSI-RSs in different repetition instances can either be used for coherent channel estimation or non-coherent channel estimation. For example, coherent combining may be useful in the low mobility scenarios, whereas non-coherent may be more suitable for high mobility scenarios. Within each repetition window, all CSI-RSs may be signaled to be combined, not combined, or only a subset of the CSI-RSs may be combined.

Thus, UE210may determine or otherwise identify the configurations available for monitoring the repetition-based channel state reference signals. UE210may then receive a control signal that carries or conveys or is otherwise associated with the designated configuration to be used by UE210for monitoring the repetition-based channel state reference signals. UE210may identify or otherwise select an aggregation factor based on the control signal or based on the designated configuration. UE210may monitor the repetition-based channel state reference signals according to the designated configuration and/or the aggregation factor.

In some aspects, the described techniques may improve aspects of repetition or aggregation in the context of mini-slots. As discussed, aggregated wireless communications may take place using the same resources in different slots. Aspects of the described techniques enable such repetition at the mini-slot level, such as enabling repetitions to potentially take place in one slot, with the possibility of crossing the slot boundary.

As one nonlimiting example, using uplink type B configurations, a transport block may be scheduled in any symbol. For example, if only 5 symbols remain in the current slot and the transport block needs 6 symbols, and then using two-symbol mini slots, the options are 2+2+1 (which is not enough) or 2+2+blank+2 (with the last 2 symbols occurring in the next slot). In some aspects, it is desirable to avoid the orphan symbol (e.g., 2+2+1+1) for wireless communications. In some aspects, this may be achieved according to the described techniques using different options (either alone or in combination). A first option may include restricting the monitoring occasion (e.g., when UE210monitors for a control signal, such as a DCI, from base station205) to predefined locations, e.g., once every 2 symbols for repetition within a 2-symbol mini slot. In another option, the monitoring occasions may not be protected, but the first symbol of the repetition bundle may only be allowed to start at some given locations. In some aspects, the given locations may be a function of the mini slot length. In some aspects, options one and two may be performed for a mini-slot configuration or configurations having any number of available symbols.

In some aspects, UE210may be asked to follow the behavior for the first option or the second option for different mini-slot links simultaneously, e.g., uplink transmissions with repetition and 2-symbol mini-slots and 7-symbol mini-slots. If UE210detects DCIs with their associated uplink transmissions overlapping, this may be interpreted as either an error case or as base station205overriding its first decision, e.g., the second DCI should be followed by UE210.

In the instance where the repetitions cross the slot boundary, different options may be followed. In a first option, UE210is informed about the control region size of the next slot and the slot format of the next slot so that the mini-slot can be predetermined for the next slot (or slots). In a second option, UE210may determine the mini-slots for the next slot only after decoding the slot format and the control region size of the next slot.

In some aspects, the described techniques may provide for improved reference signal sharing for uplink transmission repetition. For example, multiple reference signal configurations (e.g., demodulation reference signal (DMRS) configurations) may be defined (e.g., signaled via RRC, MAC CE, and the like). In some aspects, each reference signal configuration may be associated with a particular aggregation factor. One of the reference signal configurations may be signaled by the DCI explicitly or could be implicitly indicated via the aggregation factor. Accordingly, UE210may be able to identify the aggregation factor based on the DMRS pattern configuration (e.g., reference signal configuration) conveyed by base station205and a control signal (e.g., the DCI). In some aspects, the indication may be similar to the indication discussed with respect to the CSI-RS features, e.g., either multiple configurations with different lengths, or multiple configurations with the length of the maximum aggregation factor supported.

FIG.3illustrates an example of a slot configuration300that supports aggregation factor associations in uplink and downlink transmissions in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, slot configuration300may implement aspects of wireless communication systems100and/or200. Aspects of slot configuration300may be implemented by a base station and/or UE, which may be examples of corresponding devices described herein.

In some aspects, slot configuration300illustrates an example of aggregated communications where the same information (e.g., a transport block) is communicated across a plurality of slots. For example, slot configuration300includes a first slot305and a second slot310. The first slot305and the second slot310may each include a plurality of symbols, with n symbols being shown by way of example only. In some aspects, the first slot305may include a first symbol315that carries or conveys a control signal (e.g., a DCI) and then a plurality of additional symbols320that may carry or convey data. Similarly, the second slot310may include a first symbol325that carries or conveys a control signal (e.g., a DCI) and then a plurality of additional symbols330that may carry or convey data.

In some aspects, wireless communications may be configured to support aggregation where the same information is transmitted across one or more symbols of a plurality of slots. Generally, a control signal (e.g., the DCI conveyed during the first symbol315of the first slot305) may configure or otherwise activate aggregated wireless communications between a base station and the UE. Broadly, the aggregation factor (or AL) may generally be considered the number of times of the information is transmitted. The wireless communications may refer to the uplink communications and/or downlink communications that are configured or otherwise activated by the control signal. In some aspects, the control signal may carry or convey an indication of resources to be used for the wireless communications (e.g., time, frequency, spatial, and the like, resources). As one non-limiting example, a control signal carried in the first symbol315of the first slot305may configure wireless communications using resources corresponding to symbol320-aand320-bof the first slot305, with the same information being repeated in symbol330-aand symbol330-bof the second slot310. Other configurations of the symbols320and/or330may also be configured or otherwise activated for the wireless communications. In this example, the aggregation factor would be considered two.

In some aspects, the described techniques provide a mechanism whereby an indication of the aggregation factor is implicitly conveyed in the control signal. For example, a base station may configure a control signal to carry or convey an indication of an aggregation factor being used for the wireless communications (e.g., uplink communications and/or downlink communications). In some aspects, this may include the control signal carrying or conveying an indication of an MCS to be used for the wireless communications. The base station and UE may know that the MCS is associated with or otherwise corresponds to a particular aggregation factor. Accordingly, the control signal conveying an indication of a MCS (as well as of the resources being allocated for the transmission) implicitly conveys an indication of the aggregation factor to be used for the wireless communications. Therefore, the UE may use the indication of the MCS to identify the aggregation factor and communicate with a base station in accordance with the resources allocated in the control signal and the identified aggregation factor.

FIG.4illustrates an example of a process400that supports aggregation factor associations in uplink and downlink transmissions in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, process400may implement aspects of wireless communication systems100,200and/or slot configuration300. Aspects of process400may be implemented by a base station405and/or UE410, which may be examples of corresponding devices described herein.

At415, base station405may identify an aggregation factor associated with either an uplink transmission to be received from UE410or downlink transmission to be transmitted to UE410. Generally, the aggregation factor may refer to the number of times that a particular piece of information (e.g., a transport block) is to be communicated between the base station405and the UE410. Broadly, the higher the aggregation factor, the more reliable the communications.

At420, base station405may transmit (and UE410may receive) a control signal indicating a resource allocation for each of the uplink transmission of the downlink transmission. In some aspects, the control signal may indicate a MCS to be used for the uplink transmission for the downlink transmission, with the MCS being associated with an aggregation factor. In some aspects, the control signal may dynamically indicate the aggregation factor. In some aspects, UE410may monitor for the control signal at predefined symbol locations within a slot (or mini-slot). In some aspects, the predefined symbol locations may be associated with the length of one or more mini-slots in the slot.

At425, UE410may identify, based at least in part on the MCS indicated in the control signal, the aggregation factor of the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission. In some aspects, this may include UE410identifying that the MCS indicated in the control signal is associated with the aggregation factor.

At430, base station405and UE410may communicate by transmitting the uplink transmission from UE410to base station405or receiving the downlink transmission from base station405to UE410in accordance with the resource allocation and the aggregation factor.

In some aspects, this may include UE410transmitting (and base station405receiving) an uplink transmission or base station405transmitting (and UE410receiving) the downlink transmission such that a first symbol of the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission is transmitted or received in predefined symbol locations within a slot or mini-slot. In some aspects, the predefined symbol locations may be associated with the length of one or more mini-slots in the slot. In some aspects, this may include UE410comparing the resource allocation with predefined symbol locations and determining to communicate with base station405in accordance with the resource allocation and based at least in part on the comparing. In some aspects, this may include UE410receiving multiple control signals from the base station405, with each control signal indicating different resource allocations for communicating with base station405. UE410may determine that the resource allocations from the multiple control signals overlap and communicate with the base station405using the resource allocation from the last of the multiple control signals.

In some aspects, this may include UE410identifying that repetitions of either the uplink transmission of the downlink transmission will span more than one slot. Base station405may transmit (and UE410may receive) a configuration regarding the future slot to be spanned by the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission and identify, based on the configuration information, one or more mini-slots to be used in the future slot for the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission.

In some aspects, this may include UE410identifying a repetition of either the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission will span more than one slot. UE410may decode a slot format and a control region size of a future slot to be spanned by the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission and identify, based on the decoding, one or more mini-slots to be used in the future slot for the uplink transmission for the downlink transmission.

In some aspects, this may include UE410identifying a DMRS configuration to be used in association with the communicating. The DMRS configuration may be associated with the aggregation factor. Accordingly, UE410may identify the DMRS configuration by receiving an indication of the DMRS configuration in the control signal and/or by determining DMRS configuration based on the aggregation factor.

In some aspects, this may include UE410measuring a channel quality and determining, based on the channel quality a channel quality indicator that is associated with the quality threshold and a requested aggregation factor. In some aspects, transmission to UE410using the requested aggregation factor may be expected by the UE410to satisfy the quality threshold. In some aspects, this may include UE410transmitting (and base station405receiving) the channel quality indicator, where the MCS indicated in the control signal is based at least in part on the requested aggregation factor associated with a channel quality indicator. In some aspects, UE410may determine the channel quality indicator by selecting the channel quality indicator from a table or from a portion of a table whose entries are each associated with the respective aggregation factors. That is, in some aspects each available channel quality indicator may have a corresponding or otherwise associated aggregation factor.

FIG.5illustrates an example of a process500that supports aggregation factor associations in uplink and downlink transmissions in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, process500may implement aspects of wireless communication systems100,200and/or slot configuration300. Aspects of process500may be implemented by a base station505and/or UE510, which may be examples of the corresponding devices described herein.

At515, base station505may identify multiple configurations available to UE510to use for AUL transmissions, each of the multiple configurations being associated with a corresponding aggregation factor.

At520, UE510may identify multiple configurations available to UE510to use for AUL transmissions, each of the multiple configurations being associated with the corresponding aggregation factor.

At525, UE510may select one of the multiple configurations for AUL transmissions. In some aspects, this may include UE510selecting the one of the multiple configurations based at least in part on a transport block size, an MCS, a starting symbol for the AUL transmissions, and the like.

At530, UE510may transmit (and base station505may receive) the AUL transmissions in accordance with the selected configuration. Accordingly, aspects of process500illustrate a mechanism where the aggregation factor may be change dynamically.

FIG.6illustrates an example of a process600that supports aggregation factor associations in uplink and downlink transmissions in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, process600may implement aspects of wireless communication systems100,200and/or slot configuration300. Aspects of process600may be implemented by a base station605and/or a UE610, which may be examples of corresponding devices described herein.

At615, base station605may identify multiple configurations for UE610to use for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals (e.g., CSI-RSs).

At620, base station605may transmit (and UE610may receive) a control signal that is indicative of the designated configuration to be used by UE610for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals. In some aspects, the designated configuration may be one of the multiple configurations. In some aspects, the control signal and/or the designated configuration may be indicative of an aggregation factor. In some aspects, this may include UE610receiving the explicit indication of the designated configuration and the control signal. In some aspects, this may include UE410identifying that this is the configuration based on the aggregation factor.

At625, UE610may identify the aggregation factor based on the control signal and/or the designated configuration. In some aspects, this may include UE610monitoring only a number of signals associated with the aggregation factor regardless of a number of repetitions included in the designated configuration.

At630, UE610may monitor repetition-based channel state reference signals based at least in part on the designated configuration and/or the aggregation factor. In some aspects, this may include base station605transmitting (and UE610receiving) a signal indicating that UE610is to combined none, some, or all of the repetition base channel state reference signals.

Thus, aspects of process600provide a mechanism or multiple CSI-RS configurations are configured for UE610, with each configuration associated with a given aggregation factor. In some aspects, single or multiple CSI-RS configurations may be configured, each with the fixed length, e.g. based on the MAC's aggregation factor.

The receiver710may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to aggregation factor associations in uplink and downlink transmissions, etc.). Information may be passed on to other components of the device705. The receiver710may be an example of aspects of the transceiver1020described with reference toFIG.10. The receiver710may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

The communications manager715may receive, from a base station, a control signal indicating a resource allocation for either an uplink transmission or a downlink transmission, identify, based on a modulation and coding scheme indicated in the control signal, an aggregation factor of the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission, and communicate with the base station by either transmitting the uplink transmission or receiving the downlink transmission in accordance with the resource allocation and the aggregation factor. The communications manager715may also identify multiple configurations available to the UE for autonomous uplink transmissions, each of the multiple configurations being associated with an aggregation factor, select one of the multiple configurations for autonomous uplink transmissions, and transmit the autonomous uplink transmissions in accordance with the selected configuration. The communications manager715may also identify multiple configurations for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals, receive a control signal that is indicative of a designated configuration to be used by the UE for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals, the designated configuration being one of the multiple configurations, identify an aggregation factor based on the control signal or the designated configuration, and monitor repetition-based channel state reference signals based on at least one of the designated configuration or the aggregation factor. The communications manager715may be an example of aspects of the communications manager1010described herein.

The transmitter720may transmit signals generated by other components of the device705. In some examples, the transmitter720may be collocated with a receiver710in a transceiver module. For example, the transmitter720may be an example of aspects of the transceiver1020described with reference toFIG.10. The transmitter720may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

FIG.8shows a block diagram800of a device805that supports aggregation factor associations in uplink and downlink transmissions in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The device805may be an example of aspects of a device705, or a UE115as described herein. The device805may include a receiver810, a communications manager815, and a transmitter850. The device805may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

The receiver810may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to aggregation factor associations in uplink and downlink transmissions, etc.). Information may be passed on to other components of the device805. The receiver810may be an example of aspects of the transceiver1020described with reference toFIG.10. The receiver810may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

The communications manager815may be an example of aspects of the communications manager715as described herein. The communications manager815may include a control signal manager820, an aggregation factor manager825, an UL/DL communications manager830, an AUL configuration manager835, a CSI-RS repetition manager840, and a CSI-RS monitoring manager845. The communications manager815may be an example of aspects of the communications manager1010described herein.

The control signal manager820may receive, from a base station, a control signal indicating a resource allocation for either an uplink transmission or a downlink transmission.

The aggregation factor manager825may identify, based on a modulation and coding scheme indicated in the control signal, an aggregation factor of the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission.

The UL/DL communications manager830may communicate with the base station by either transmitting the uplink transmission or receiving the downlink transmission in accordance with the resource allocation and the aggregation factor.

The AUL configuration manager835may identify multiple configurations available to the UE for autonomous uplink transmissions, each of the multiple configurations being associated with an aggregation factor and select one of the multiple configurations for autonomous uplink transmissions.

The UL/DL communications manager830may transmit the autonomous uplink transmissions in accordance with the selected configuration.

The CSI-RS repetition manager840may identify multiple configurations for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals.

The control signal manager820may receive a control signal that is indicative of a designated configuration to be used by the UE for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals, the designated configuration being one of the multiple configurations.

The aggregation factor manager825may identify an aggregation factor based on the control signal or the designated configuration.

The CSI-RS monitoring manager845may monitor repetition-based channel state reference signals based on at least one of the designated configuration or the aggregation factor.

The transmitter850may transmit signals generated by other components of the device805. In some examples, the transmitter850may be collocated with a receiver810in a transceiver module. For example, the transmitter850may be an example of aspects of the transceiver1020described with reference toFIG.10. The transmitter850may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

FIG.9shows a block diagram900of a communications manager905that supports aggregation factor associations in uplink and downlink transmissions in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The communications manager905may be an example of aspects of a communications manager715, a communications manager815, or a communications manager1010described herein. The communications manager905may include a control signal manager910, an aggregation factor manager915, an UL/DL communications manager920, a channel quality manager925, a slot configuration manager930, a mini-slot manager935, a cross-slot manager940, a DMRS manager945, an AUL configuration manager950, a CSI-RS repetition manager955, a CSI-RS monitoring manager960, and a combination manager965. Each of these modules may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

The control signal manager910may receive, from a base station, a control signal indicating a resource allocation for either an uplink transmission or a downlink transmission.

In some examples, the control signal manager910may receive a control signal that is indicative of a designated configuration to be used by the UE for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals, the designated configuration being one of the multiple configurations. In some examples, the control signal manager910may receive an explicit indication of the designated configuration in the control signal. In some examples, the control signal manager910may identify the designated configuration based on the aggregation factor. In some examples, the control signal manager910may monitor only a number of signals associated with the aggregation factor regardless of a number of repetitions included in the designated configuration.

The aggregation factor manager915may identify, based on a modulation and coding scheme indicated in the control signal, an aggregation factor of the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission. In some examples, the aggregation factor manager915may identify an aggregation factor based on the control signal or the designated configuration. In some examples, the aggregation factor manager915may identify that the modulation and coding scheme indicated in the control signal is associated with the aggregation factor. In some cases, the aggregation factor is dynamically indicated via the control signal.

The UL/DL communications manager920may communicate with the base station by either transmitting the uplink transmission or receiving the downlink transmission in accordance with the resource allocation and the aggregation factor. In some examples, the UL/DL communications manager920may transmit the autonomous uplink transmissions in accordance with the selected configuration.

In some examples, the UL/DL communications manager920may transmit the uplink transmission or receiving the downlink transmission such that a first symbol of the uplink transmission or downlink transmission is transmitted or received only at predefined symbol locations within a slot or mini-slot, where the predefined symbol locations are associated with a length of one or more mini-slots in the slot.

In some examples, the UL/DL communications manager920may compare the resource allocation with the predefined symbol locations. In some examples, the UL/DL communications manager920may determine to communicate with the base station and in accordance with the resource allocation based on the comparing. In some examples, the UL/DL communications manager920may receive multiple control signals from the base station, each control signal indicating different resource allocations for communications with the base station.

In some examples, the UL/DL communications manager920may determine that the resource allocations from the multiple control signals overlap. In some examples, the UL/DL communications manager920may communicate with the base station using the resource allocation from a last of the multiple control signals.

The AUL configuration manager950may identify multiple configurations available to the UE for autonomous uplink transmissions, each of the multiple configurations being associated with an aggregation factor. In some examples, the AUL configuration manager950may select one of the multiple configurations for autonomous uplink transmissions. In some examples, the AUL configuration manager950may select the one of the multiple configurations based on a transport block size, a modulation and coding scheme, a starting symbol for the autonomous uplink transmissions, or combinations thereof.

The CSI-RS repetition manager955may identify multiple configurations for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals.

The CSI-RS monitoring manager960may monitor repetition-based channel state reference signals based on at least one of the designated configuration or the aggregation factor.

The channel quality manager925may measure channel quality. In some examples, the channel quality manager925may determine, based at least on the measured channel quality, a channel quality indicator that is associated with a quality threshold and a requested aggregation factor, where transmissions to the UE using the requested aggregation factor are expected by the UE to satisfy the quality threshold.

In some examples, the channel quality manager925may transmit the channel quality indicator to the base station, where the modulation and coding scheme indicated in the control signal is based on the requested aggregation factor associated with the channel quality indicator.

In some examples, the channel quality manager925may select the channel quality indicator from a table or from a portion of a table whose entries are each associated with respective aggregation factors.

The slot configuration manager930may monitor for the control signal at predefined symbol locations within a slot or mini-slot, where the predefined symbol locations are associated with a length of one or more mini-slots in the slot.

The mini-slot manager935may identify that repetitions of either the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission will span more than one slot.

In some examples, the mini-slot manager935may receive configuration information regarding a future slot to be spanned by the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission.

In some examples, the mini-slot manager935may identify, based on the configuration information, one or more mini-slots to be used in the future slot for the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission.

The cross-slot manager940may identify that repetitions of either the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission will span more than one slot.

In some examples, the cross-slot manager940may decode a slot format and control region size of a future slot to be spanned by the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission. In some examples, the cross-slot manager940may identify, based on the decoding, one or more mini-slots to be used in the future slot for the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission.

The DMRS manager945may identify a demodulation reference signal configuration to be used in association with the communicating, where the demodulation reference signal configuration is associated with the aggregation factor.

In some examples, the DMRS manager945may receive an indication of the demodulation reference signal configuration in the control signal. In some examples, the DMRS manager945may determine the demodulation reference signal configuration based on the aggregation factor.

The combination manager965may receive a signal indicating that the UE is to combine none, some, or all of the repetition-based channel state reference signals.

FIG.10shows a diagram of a system1000including a device1005that supports aggregation factor associations in uplink and downlink transmissions in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The device1005may be an example of or include the components of device705, device805, or a UE115as described herein. The device1005may include components for bi-directional voice and data communications including components for transmitting and receiving communications, including a communications manager1010, an I/O controller1015, a transceiver1020, an antenna1025, memory1030, and a processor1040. These components may be in electronic communication via one or more buses (e.g., bus1045).

The communications manager1010may receive, from a base station, a control signal indicating a resource allocation for either an uplink transmission or a downlink transmission, identify, based on a modulation and coding scheme indicated in the control signal, an aggregation factor of the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission, and communicate with the base station by either transmitting the uplink transmission or receiving the downlink transmission in accordance with the resource allocation and the aggregation factor. The communications manager1010may also identify multiple configurations available to the UE for autonomous uplink transmissions, each of the multiple configurations being associated with an aggregation factor, select one of the multiple configurations for autonomous uplink transmissions, and transmit the autonomous uplink transmissions in accordance with the selected configuration. The communications manager1010may also identify multiple configurations for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals, receive a control signal that is indicative of a designated configuration to be used by the UE for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals, the designated configuration being one of the multiple configurations, identify an aggregation factor based on the control signal or the designated configuration, and monitor repetition-based channel state reference signals based on at least one of the designated configuration or the aggregation factor.

The I/O controller1015may manage input and output signals for the device1005. The I/O controller1015may also manage peripherals not integrated into the device1005. In some cases, the I/O controller1015may represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral. In some cases, the I/O controller1015may utilize an operating system such as iOS®, ANDROID®, MS-DOS®, MS-WINDOWS®, OS/2®, UNIX®, LINUX®, or another known operating system. In other cases, the I/O controller1015may represent or interact with a modem, a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen, or a similar device. In some cases, the I/O controller1015may be implemented as part of a processor. In some cases, a user may interact with the device1005via the I/O controller1015or via hardware components controlled by the I/O controller1015.

In some cases, the wireless device may include a single antenna1025. However, in some cases the device may have more than one antenna1025, which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions.

The code1035may include instructions to implement aspects of the present disclosure, including instructions to support wireless communications. The code1035may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or other type of memory. In some cases, the code1035may not be directly executable by the processor1040but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein.

The communications manager1115may identify an aggregation factor associated with either an uplink transmission to be received from a UE or a downlink transmission to be transmitted to the UE, transmit, to the UE, a control signal indicating a resource allocation for either the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission, where the control signal indicates a modulation and coding scheme associated with the aggregation factor, and communicate with the UE by either receiving the uplink transmission or transmitting the downlink transmission in accordance with the resource allocation and the aggregation factor. The communications manager1115may also identify multiple configurations available to a UE for autonomous uplink transmissions, each of the multiple configurations being associated with an aggregation factor, receive the autonomous uplink transmissions in accordance with a configuration of the multiple configurations selected by the UE, identify multiple configurations for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals, and transmit a control signal to a UE that is indicative of a designated configuration to be used by the UE for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals, the designated configuration being one of the multiple configurations, where at least one of the control signal or the designated configuration being indicative of an aggregation factor. The communications manager1115may be an example of aspects of the communications manager1410described herein.

The receiver1210may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to aggregation factor associations in uplink and downlink transmissions, etc.). Information may be passed on to other components of the device1205. The receiver1210may be an example of aspects of the transceiver1420described with reference toFIG.14. The receiver1210may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

The communications manager1215may be an example of aspects of the communications manager1115as described herein. The communications manager1215may include an aggregation factor manager1220, a control signal manager1225, an UL/DL communications manager1230, an AUL configuration manager1235, a CSI-RS repetition manager1240, and a CSI-RS monitoring manager1245. The communications manager1215may be an example of aspects of the communications manager1410described herein.

The aggregation factor manager1220may identify an aggregation factor associated with either an uplink transmission to be received from a UE or a downlink transmission to be transmitted to the UE.

The control signal manager1225may transmit, to the UE, a control signal indicating a resource allocation for either the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission, where the control signal indicates a modulation and coding scheme associated with the aggregation factor.

The UL/DL communications manager1230may communicate with the UE by either receiving the uplink transmission or transmitting the downlink transmission in accordance with the resource allocation and the aggregation factor.

The AUL configuration manager1235may identify multiple configurations available to a UE for autonomous uplink transmissions, each of the multiple configurations being associated with an aggregation factor and receive the autonomous uplink transmissions in accordance with a configuration of the multiple configurations selected by the UE.

The CSI-RS repetition manager1240may identify multiple configurations for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals.

The CSI-RS monitoring manager1245may transmit a control signal to a UE that is indicative of a designated configuration to be used by the UE for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals, the designated configuration being one of the multiple configurations, where at least one of the control signal or the designated configuration being indicative of an aggregation factor.

The transmitter1250may transmit signals generated by other components of the device1205. In some examples, the transmitter1250may be collocated with a receiver1210in a transceiver module. For example, the transmitter1250may be an example of aspects of the transceiver1420described with reference toFIG.14. The transmitter1250may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

FIG.13shows a block diagram1300of a communications manager1305that supports aggregation factor associations in uplink and downlink transmissions in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The communications manager1305may be an example of aspects of a communications manager1115, a communications manager1215, or a communications manager1410described herein. The communications manager1305may include an aggregation factor manager1310, a control signal manager1315, an UL/DL communications manager1320, a cross-slot manager1325, a DMRS manager1330, an AUL configuration manager1335, a CSI-RS repetition manager1340, a CSI-RS monitoring manager1345, and a combination manager1350. Each of these modules may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

The aggregation factor manager1310may identify an aggregation factor associated with either an uplink transmission to be received from a UE or a downlink transmission to be transmitted to the UE.

In some examples, the aggregation factor manager1310may receive a channel quality indicator from the UE, where the channel quality indicator is associated with a requested aggregation factor such that transmissions to the UE using the requested aggregation factor are expected by the UE to satisfy a quality threshold associated with the channel quality indicator.

In some examples, the aggregation factor manager1310may set the aggregation factor to be equal to the requested aggregation factor. In some cases, the aggregation factor is dynamically indicated to the UE via the control signal. In some cases, the channel quality indicator is from a table or from a portion of a table whose entries are each associated with respective aggregation factors.

The control signal manager1315may transmit, to the UE, a control signal indicating a resource allocation for either the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission, where the control signal indicates a modulation and coding scheme associated with the aggregation factor.

The UL/DL communications manager1320may communicate with the UE by either receiving the uplink transmission or transmitting the downlink transmission in accordance with the resource allocation and the aggregation factor.

In some examples, the UL/DL communications manager1320may receive the uplink transmission or transmitting the downlink transmission such that a first symbol of the uplink transmission or downlink transmission is received or transmitted only at predefined symbol locations within a slot or mini-slot, where the predefined symbol locations are associated with a length of one or more mini-slots in the slot.

The AUL configuration manager1335may identify multiple configurations available to a UE for autonomous uplink transmissions, each of the multiple configurations being associated with an aggregation factor.

In some examples, the AUL configuration manager1335may receive the autonomous uplink transmissions in accordance with a configuration of the multiple configurations selected by the UE.

The CSI-RS repetition manager1340may identify multiple configurations for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals.

The CSI-RS monitoring manager1345may transmit a control signal to a UE that is indicative of a designated configuration to be used by the UE for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals, the designated configuration being one of the multiple configurations, where at least one of the control signal or the designated configuration being indicative of an aggregation factor.

In some examples, the CSI-RS monitoring manager1345may transmit an explicit indication of the designated configuration in the control signal.

The cross-slot manager1325may identify that repetitions of either the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission will span more than one slot. In some examples, the cross-slot manager1325may transmit configuration information regarding a future slot to be spanned by the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission. In some examples, the cross-slot manager1325may identify, based on the configuration information, one or more mini-slots to be used in the future slot for the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission.

The DMRS manager1330may identify a demodulation reference signal configuration to be used in association with the communicating, where the demodulation reference signal configuration is associated with the aggregation factor.

In some examples, the DMRS manager1330may transmit to the UE an indication of the demodulation reference signal configuration in the control signal.

The combination manager1350may transmit a signal indicating that the UE is to combine none, some, or all of the repetition-based channel state reference signals.

FIG.14shows a diagram of a system1400including a device1405that supports aggregation factor associations in uplink and downlink transmissions in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The device1405may be an example of or include the components of device1105, device1205, or a base station105as described herein. The device1405may include components for bi-directional voice and data communications including components for transmitting and receiving communications, including a communications manager1410, a network communications manager1415, a transceiver1420, an antenna1425, memory1430, a processor1440, and an inter-station communications manager1445. These components may be in electronic communication via one or more buses (e.g., bus1450).

The communications manager1410may identify an aggregation factor associated with either an uplink transmission to be received from a UE or a downlink transmission to be transmitted to the UE, transmit, to the UE, a control signal indicating a resource allocation for either the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission, where the control signal indicates a modulation and coding scheme associated with the aggregation factor, and communicate with the UE by either receiving the uplink transmission or transmitting the downlink transmission in accordance with the resource allocation and the aggregation factor. The communications manager1410may also identify multiple configurations available to a UE for autonomous uplink transmissions, each of the multiple configurations being associated with an aggregation factor, receive the autonomous uplink transmissions in accordance with a configuration of the multiple configurations selected by the UE, identify multiple configurations for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals, and transmit a control signal to a UE that is indicative of a designated configuration to be used by the UE for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals, the designated configuration being one of the multiple configurations, where at least one of the control signal or the designated configuration being indicative of an aggregation factor.

In some cases, the wireless device may include a single antenna1425. However, in some cases the device may have more than one antenna1425, which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions.

The memory1430may include RAM, ROM, or a combination thereof. The memory1430may store computer-readable code1435including instructions that, when executed by a processor (e.g., the processor1440) cause the device to perform various functions described herein. In some cases, the memory1430may contain, among other things, a BIOS which may control basic hardware or software operation such as the interaction with peripheral components or devices.

The code1435may include instructions to implement aspects of the present disclosure, including instructions to support wireless communications. The code1435may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or other type of memory. In some cases, the code1435may not be directly executable by the processor1440but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein.

FIG.15shows a flowchart illustrating a method1500that supports aggregation factor associations in uplink and downlink transmissions in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method1500may be implemented by a UE115or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of method1500may be performed by a communications manager as described with reference toFIGS.7through10. In some examples, a UE may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, a UE may perform aspects of the functions described below using special-purpose hardware.

At1505, the UE may receive, from a base station, a control signal indicating a resource allocation for either an uplink transmission or a downlink transmission. The operations of1505may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1505may be performed by a control signal manager as described with reference toFIGS.7through10.

At1510, the UE may identify, based on a modulation and coding scheme indicated in the control signal, an aggregation factor of the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission. The operations of1510may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1510may be performed by an aggregation factor manager as described with reference toFIGS.7through10.

At1515, the UE may communicate with the base station by either transmitting the uplink transmission or receiving the downlink transmission in accordance with the resource allocation and the aggregation factor. The operations of1515may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1515may be performed by an UL/DL communications manager as described with reference toFIGS.7through10.

FIG.16shows a flowchart illustrating a method1600that supports aggregation factor associations in uplink and downlink transmissions in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method1600may be implemented by a UE115or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of method1600may be performed by a communications manager as described with reference toFIGS.7through10. In some examples, a UE may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, a UE may perform aspects of the functions described below using special-purpose hardware.

At1605, the UE may identify multiple configurations available to the UE for autonomous uplink transmissions, each of the multiple configurations being associated with an aggregation factor. The operations of1605may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1605may be performed by an AUL configuration manager as described with reference toFIGS.7through10.

At1610, the UE may select one of the multiple configurations for autonomous uplink transmissions. The operations of1610may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1610may be performed by an AUL configuration manager as described with reference toFIGS.7through10.

At1615, the UE may transmit the autonomous uplink transmissions in accordance with the selected configuration. The operations of1615may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1615may be performed by an UL/DL communications manager as described with reference toFIGS.7through10.

FIG.17shows a flowchart illustrating a method1700that supports aggregation factor associations in uplink and downlink transmissions in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method1700may be implemented by a UE115or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of method1700may be performed by a communications manager as described with reference toFIGS.7through10. In some examples, a UE may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, a UE may perform aspects of the functions described below using special-purpose hardware.

At1705, the UE may identify multiple configurations for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals. The operations of1705may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1705may be performed by a CSI-RS repetition manager as described with reference toFIGS.7through10.

At1710, the UE may receive a control signal that is indicative of a designated configuration to be used by the UE for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals, the designated configuration being one of the multiple configurations. The operations of1710may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1710may be performed by a control signal manager as described with reference toFIGS.7through10.

At1715, the UE may identify an aggregation factor based on the control signal or the designated configuration. The operations of1715may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1715may be performed by an aggregation factor manager as described with reference toFIGS.7through10.

At1720, the UE may monitor repetition-based channel state reference signals based on at least one of the designated configuration or the aggregation factor. The operations of1720may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1720may be performed by a CSI-RS monitoring manager as described with reference toFIGS.7through10.

FIG.18shows a flowchart illustrating a method1800that supports aggregation factor associations in uplink and downlink transmissions in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method1800may be implemented by a base station105or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of method1800may be performed by a communications manager as described with reference toFIGS.11through14. In some examples, a base station may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the base station to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, a base station may perform aspects of the functions described below using special-purpose hardware.

At1805, the base station may identify an aggregation factor associated with either an uplink transmission to be received from a UE or a downlink transmission to be transmitted to the UE. The operations of1805may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1805may be performed by an aggregation factor manager as described with reference toFIGS.11through14.

At1810, the base station may transmit, to the UE, a control signal indicating a resource allocation for either the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission, where the control signal indicates a modulation and coding scheme associated with the aggregation factor. The operations of1810may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1810may be performed by a control signal manager as described with reference toFIGS.11through14.

At1815, the base station may communicate with the UE by either receiving the uplink transmission or transmitting the downlink transmission in accordance with the resource allocation and the aggregation factor. The operations of1815may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1815may be performed by an UL/DL communications manager as described with reference toFIGS.11through14.

FIG.19shows a flowchart illustrating a method1900that supports aggregation factor associations in uplink and downlink transmissions in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method1900may be implemented by a base station105or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of method1900may be performed by a communications manager as described with reference toFIGS.11through14. In some examples, a base station may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the base station to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, a base station may perform aspects of the functions described below using special-purpose hardware.

At1905, the base station may identify multiple configurations available to a UE for autonomous uplink transmissions, each of the multiple configurations being associated with an aggregation factor. The operations of1905may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1905may be performed by an AUL configuration manager as described with reference toFIGS.11through14.

At1910, the base station may receive the autonomous uplink transmissions in accordance with a configuration of the multiple configurations selected by the UE. The operations of1910may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1910may be performed by an AUL configuration manager as described with reference toFIGS.11through14.

FIG.20shows a flowchart illustrating a method2000that supports aggregation factor associations in uplink and downlink transmissions in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method2000may be implemented by a base station105or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of method2000may be performed by a communications manager as described with reference toFIGS.11through14. In some examples, a base station may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the base station to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, a base station may perform aspects of the functions described below using special-purpose hardware.

At2005, the base station may identify multiple configurations for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals. The operations of2005may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of2005may be performed by a CSI-RS repetition manager as described with reference toFIGS.11through14.

At2010, the base station may transmit a control signal to a UE that is indicative of a designated configuration to be used by the UE for monitoring repetition-based channel state reference signals, the designated configuration being one of the multiple configurations, where at least one of the control signal or the designated configuration being indicative of an aggregation factor. The operations of2010may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of2010may be performed by a CSI-RS monitoring manager as described with reference toFIGS.11through14.