Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems, and more particularly, to a single frequency network (SFN) transmission procedure for millimeter wave band (e.g., FR2) in <NUM> New Radio (NR).

Due to the increasing demand for wireless communications, there is a desire to improve the efficiency of wireless communication network techniques.

<CIT> discloses methods for performing intra-frequency measurements in an NR network. A UE performs measurements of a second TRP, wherein this information is used by a first TRP to decide whether the UE needs to be handed over.

<NPL> discloses Details on QCL (quasi co-location) for receiving PDSCH in an NR system in a millimeter wave application, FR2.

<CIT> discloses methods for SSB based and CSI-RS based intra-frequency measurements in an NR network.

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more aspects in order to provide a basic understanding of such aspects, even if they do not fall within the scope of the claims.

An example implementation includes a method of wireless communication, including receiving, by a network entity from a user equipment (UE), a measurement report, wherein the network entity corresponds to a serving network entity; and determining, by the network entity, a single frequency network (SFN) network entity group for the UE based on the measurement report, wherein the SFN network entity group corresponds to a one or more neighbor network entities designated for transmitting SFN data to the UE.

Another example implementation includes an apparatus for wireless communication, including a processor and a memory in communication with the processor. The memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive, by a network entity from a UE, a measurement report, wherein the network entity corresponds to a serving network entity; and determine, by the network entity, a SFN network entity group for the UE based on the measurement report, wherein the SFN network entity group corresponds to a one or more neighbor network entities designated for transmitting SFN data to the UE.

Another example implementation includes an apparatus for wireless communication, including means for receiving, by a network entity from a UE, a measurement report, wherein the network entity corresponds to a serving network entity; and means for determining, by the network entity, a SFN network entity group for the UE based on the measurement report, wherein the SFN network entity group corresponds to a one or more neighbor network entities designated for transmitting SFN data to the UE.

Another example implementation includes a non-statutory computer-readable medium storing instructions for wireless communication, executable by a processor to receive, by a network entity from a UE, a measurement report, wherein the network entity corresponds to a serving network entity; and determine, by the network entity, a SFN network entity group for the UE based on the measurement report, wherein the SFN network entity group corresponds to a one or more neighbor network entities designated for transmitting SFN data to the UE.

Another example implementation includes a method of wireless communication, including receiving, by a UE from a network entity, a measurement request to measure channel information of at least one of the one or more neighbor network entities, wherein the network entity corresponds to a serving network entity; and transmitting, by the UE to the network entity, the measurement report, wherein the measurement report configures the network entity to determine a SFN network entity group for the UE.

Another example implementation includes an apparatus for wireless communication, including a processor and a memory in communication with the processor. The memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive, by a UE from a network entity, a measurement request to measure channel information of at least one of the one or more neighbor network entities, wherein the network entity corresponds to a serving network entity; and transmit, by the UE to the network entity, the measurement report, wherein the measurement report configures the network entity to determine a SFN network entity group for the UE.

Another example implementation includes an apparatus for wireless communication, including means for receiving, by a UE from a network entity, a measurement request to measure channel information of at least one of the one or more neighbor network entities, wherein the network entity corresponds to a serving network entity; and means for transmitting, by the UE to the network entity, the measurement report, wherein the measurement report configures the network entity to determine a SFN network entity group for the UE.

Another example implementation includes a non-statutory computer-readable medium storing instructions for wireless communication, executable by a processor to receive, by a UE from a network entity, a measurement request to measure channel information of at least one of the one or more neighbor network entities, wherein the network entity corresponds to a serving network entity; and transmit, by the UE to the network entity, the measurement report, wherein the measurement report configures the network entity to determine a SFN network entity group for the UE.

Software may be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software components, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communications system and an access network <NUM> configured for a SFN transmission procedure for FR2 in <NUM> NR.

In certain aspects, the UE <NUM> may be configured to operate communication component <NUM> and/or configuration component <NUM> to receive, from a network entity, a measurement request to measure channel information of at least one of the one or more neighbor network entities, wherein the network entity corresponds to a serving network entity; and transmit, to the network entity, the measurement report, wherein the measurement report configures the network entity to determine a single frequency network (SFN) network entity group for the UE.

Correspondingly, in certain aspects, the network entity <NUM> (e.g., base station) may be configured to operate communication component <NUM> and/or configuration component <NUM> to receive, from a UE, a measurement report, wherein the network entity corresponds to a serving network entity; and to determine a SFN network entity group for the UE based on the measurement report, wherein the SFN network entity group corresponds to a one or more neighbor network entities designated for transmitting SFN data to the UE.

The base stations <NUM> configured for <NUM> LTE (collectively referred to as Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)) may interface with the EPC <NUM> through backhaul links <NUM> (e.g., S1 interface). The base stations <NUM> configured for <NUM> NR (collectively referred to as Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN)) may interface with core network <NUM> through backhaul links <NUM>. The base stations <NUM> may communicate directly or indirectly (e.g., through the EPC <NUM> or core network <NUM>) with each other over backhaul links <NUM> (e.g., X2 interface). The backhaul links <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be wired or wireless.

<FIG> include diagrams of example frame structures and resources that may be utilized in communications between the base stations <NUM>, the UEs <NUM>, and/or the secondary UEs (or sidelink UEs) <NUM> described in this disclosure.

<FIG> is a block diagram of a base station <NUM> in communication with a UE <NUM> in an access network, where the base station <NUM> may be an example implementation of base station <NUM> and where UE <NUM> may be an example implementation of UE <NUM>.

At least one of the TX processor <NUM>, the RX processor <NUM>, and the controller/processor <NUM> may be configured to perform aspects in connection with communication component <NUM> of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the described features generally relate to a SFN transmission procedure for millimeter wave band (e.g., FR2) in <NUM> NR. For example, <NUM> mobile technology utilizes a variety of frequency bands within ranges known as FR1 below <NUM> and FR2 above <NUM> for the <NUM> New Radio, <NUM> NR. The higher frequency bands in range FR2 are aimed at providing short range very high data rate capability for the <NUM> radio. With <NUM> anticipated to carry much higher speed data, the additional bandwidth of these higher frequency bands will be needed. For example, in LTE, multicast and/or broadcast transmissions are supported as multimedia broadcast single frequency network (MBSFN). In LTE, feedback serving network entity (e.g., gNB) and a neighbor network entity may transmit the same data to every direction (e.g., omni-directional). Further, no adaptive analog transmission beamforming is used at the network entities.

In an aspect, for <NUM> NR, enhancements to multicast and broadcast transmissions are desired. For example, analog transmission and reception beamforming is used. A serving network entity and neighbor network entities may transmit the same data to a specific direction by using analog beamforming. However, the network entities need to determine which analog transmission beam is to be used. Although the serving network entity has no issue in determining the analog transmission beam to be used, a need arises for determining the analog transmission beam at neighbor network entities.

The present disclosure relates generally to determining the analog transmission beam at neighbor network entities. For example, in an aspect, the present disclosure includes a method, apparatus, and non-statutory computer readable medium for wireless communications for a SFN transmission procedure for millimeter wave band (e.g., FR2) in <NUM> NR. The aspects include receiving, by a network entity from a user equipment (UE), a measurement report, wherein the network entity corresponds to a serving network entity; and determining, by the network entity, a single frequency network (SFN) network entity group for the UE based on the measurement report, wherein the SFN network entity group corresponds to a one or more neighbor network entities designated for transmitting SFN data to the UE. The aspects further include receiving, by a UE from a network entity, a measurement request to measure channel information of at least one of the one or more neighbor network entities, wherein the network entity corresponds to a serving network entity; and transmitting, by the UE to the network entity, the measurement report, wherein the measurement report configures the network entity to determine a single frequency network (SFN) network entity group for the UE.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of SFN transmissions in LTE and <NUM> NR. For example, diagram <NUM> illustrates a comparison between SFN transmissions in LTE and SFN transmission for <NUM> NR in FR2. In this example, the SFN transmission in LTE are performed without beamforming. The associated serving cell and neighbor cells <NUM> and <NUM> may transmit to a same UE. In this instance, the associated serving cell and neighbor cells <NUM> and <NUM> may transmit the same data without beamforming. Additionally, each of the associated serving cell and neighbor cells <NUM> and <NUM> may be transmitting omni-directionally to other UEs in their respective cells.

In an aspect, the SFN transmission for <NUM> NR in FR2 is performed with beamforming. For example, an associated serving cell along with neighbor cells <NUM> and <NUM> may transmit data to a single UE. The associated serving cell and neighbor cells <NUM> and <NUM> may transmit the same data with beamforming. Accordingly, the network entity of the associated serving cell may receive, from a UE, a measurement report, wherein the network entity corresponds to a serving network entity; and determine a single frequency network (SFN) network entity group for the UE based on the measurement report, wherein the SFN network entity group corresponds to a one or more neighbor network entities designated for transmitting SFN data to the UE.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams illustrating an example of channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS) based beam selection for SFN transmission in FR2. In an example, in step <NUM> of diagram <NUM>, initial access and transmission/reception beam selection via SSB (e.g., P1 operation) may occur. For example, a wide beam transmission beam and widest reception beam may be determined via SSB beam sweeping in the serving cell. In an example, in step <NUM>, transmission/reception beam refinement via CSI-RS may occur. For example, a narrow beam transmission beam and the narrowest reception beam is determined via CSI-RS beam sweeping in the serving cell.

In an aspect, step <NUM> includes measuring of the neighbor cell SSBs by the UE. For example, the serving network entity (e.g., gNB) may inform the UE of the SSB information for the neighbor cell (e.g., physical cell identity (PCI), SSB location, periodicity, etc.). The serving network entity may request the UE to report the measurements of the SSBs of the neighbor cell (e.g., the strongest SSB index, L1-RSRP of SSB, etc.). The UE may then report the measurements of the SSB of the neighbor cell. The aforementioned process of step <NUM> may be repeated over all of the neighbor cells in the neighbor list in the serving network entity.

In an aspect, step <NUM> of diagram <NUM> includes SFN network entity group selection based on the measurements from the UE. For example, the serving network entity selects the neighbor network entities for SFN transmission to the UE based on the measurement report of the neighbor cell SSBs. Further, at step <NUM>, transmit/receive beam selection corresponding to the neighbor cells occurs. For example, the serving network entity requests the neighbor network entity to transmit CSI-RS for beam sweeping associated with the SSB #<NUM>. While the CSI-RS resources are QCL-ed with the SSB of the neighbor cell, the serving network entity indicates the UE that the CSI-RS resources assigned to the neighbor cell are QCLed with the SSB of the serving cell in order for the UE to use the reception beam associated with the serving cell transmission beam during the measurement of the CSI-RS of the neighbor cells.

In an aspect, step <NUM> includes the SFN transmission occurs. For example, The serving network entity requests the neighbor network entity to transmit SFN data by using the beam associated with CSI-RS #<NUM>. The serving network entity and the neighbor network entity transmit the SFN data at the same time. The DCI includes only one TCI associated with the CSI-RS of the serving cell. The UE uses a reception beam corresponding to the CSI-RS of the serving cell indicated by TCI.

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a network entity (e.g., the base station <NUM>; the apparatus <NUM>; the controller/processor <NUM>, which may include the memory <NUM>, processor(s) <NUM>, which may include the memory <NUM>, modem <NUM> and which may be the entire base station <NUM> or a component of the base station <NUM>, such as the TX processor <NUM>, the RX processor <NUM>, and/or the transceiver <NUM>) in combination with the communication component <NUM>/configuration component <NUM>.

At <NUM>, method <NUM> includes receiving, by a network entity from a user equipment (UE), a measurement report, wherein the network entity corresponds to a serving network entity. In an aspect, the base station <NUM> and/or the communication component <NUM>/configuration component <NUM> may be configured to receive, from a UE, a measurement report, wherein the network entity corresponds to a serving network entity. As such, the base station <NUM> and/or the communication component <NUM>/configuration component <NUM>, e.g., in conjunction with the controller/processor <NUM>, which may include the memory <NUM>, processor(s) <NUM>, which may include the memory <NUM>, modem <NUM> and which may be the entire base station <NUM> or a component of the base station <NUM>, such as the TX processor <NUM>, the RX processor <NUM>, and/or the transceiver <NUM> may define a means for receiving, by a network entity from a UE, a measurement report, wherein the network entity corresponds to a serving network entity.

At <NUM>, method <NUM> includes determining, by the network entity, a single frequency network (SFN) network entity group for the UE based on the measurement report, wherein the SFN network entity group corresponds to a one or more neighbor network entities designated for transmitting SFN data to the UE. In an aspect, the base station <NUM> and/or the communication component <NUM>/configuration component <NUM> may be configured to determine a SFN network entity group for the UE based on the measurement report, wherein the SFN network entity group corresponds to a one or more neighbor network entities designated for transmitting SFN data to the UE. As such, the base station <NUM> and/or the communication component <NUM>/configuration component <NUM>, e.g., in conjunction with the controller/processor <NUM>, which may include the memory <NUM>, processor(s) <NUM>, which may include the memory <NUM>, modem <NUM> and which may be the entire base station <NUM> or a component of the base station <NUM>, such as the TX processor <NUM>, the RX processor <NUM>, and/or the transceiver <NUM> may define a means for determining a SFN network entity group for the UE based on the measurement report, wherein the SFN network entity group corresponds to a one or more neighbor network entities designated for transmitting SFN data to the UE.

At <NUM>, method <NUM> includes optionally transmitting an indication to the one or more neighbor network entities associated with the SFN network entity group. In an aspect, the base station <NUM> and/or the communication component <NUM>/configuration component <NUM> may be configured to transmit an indication to the one or more neighbor network entities associated with the SFN network entity group. As such, the base station <NUM> and/or the communication component <NUM>/configuration component <NUM>, e.g., in conjunction with the controller/processor <NUM>, which may include the memory <NUM>, processor(s) <NUM>, which may include the memory <NUM>, modem <NUM> and which may be the entire base station <NUM> or a component of the base station <NUM>, such as the TX processor <NUM>, the RX processor <NUM>, and/or the transceiver <NUM> may define a means for transmitting an indication to the one or more neighbor network entities associated with the SFN network entity group.

In an example, method <NUM> includes transmitting, by the network entity to the UE, a measurement request to measure channel information of at least one of the one or more neighbor network entities. For example, the measurement request includes one or more neighbor cell PCIs, SSB locations of neighbor cells, and SSB periodicity of neighbor cells. Additionally, the measurement report includes one or more strongest SSB indexes and LI-RSRP of corresponding SSBs.

In an example of method <NUM>, the indication is configured to trigger the one or more neighbor network entities to transmit SFN data to the UE using an analog transmission beam associated with a SSB or a CSI-RS. For example, transmitting the indication to the one or more neighbor network entities further comprises transmitting the indication to the one or more neighbor network entities via a back-haul communication link. Additionally, the indication includes at least one of a time/frequency resource, data to be transmitted, and a SSB index obtained from the measurement report. In an example, method <NUM> includes transmitting, by the network entity to the UE, DCI. Further, the DCI includes at least transmission configuration indicator/quasi-co location (TCI/QCL) information associated with the network entity.

In an example of method <NUM>, the indication is configured to trigger the one or more neighbor network entities to transmit SFN data to the UE using an analog transmission beam associated with a CSI-RS. For example, transmitting the indication to the one or more neighbor network entities further comprises transmitting the indication to the one or more neighbor network entities via a back-haul communication link. Additionally, the CSI-RS is quasi-co locationed (QCLed) with a SSB. In an example, method <NUM> includes transmitting, from the network entity to the UE, a request message indicating a configured CSI-RS information and requests the UE to report a CSI-RS measurement to the network entity. For example, the CSI-RS corresponds to a highest rated CSI-RS index indicated by the network entity. In an example, method <NUM> includes transmitting, by the network entity to the UE, a DCI. In this example, the DCI includes at least transmission configuration indicator/quasi-co location (TCI/QCL) information associated with the network entity.

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a UE (e.g., the UE <NUM>; the apparatus <NUM>; the controller/processor <NUM>, which may include the memory <NUM>, processor(s) <NUM>, which may include the memory <NUM>, modem <NUM> and which may be the entire UE <NUM> or a component of the UE <NUM>, such as the TX processor <NUM>, the RX processor <NUM>, and/or the transceiver <NUM>) in combination with the communication component <NUM>/configuration component <NUM>.

At <NUM>, method <NUM> includes receiving, by a user equipment (UE) from a network entity, a measurement request to measure channel information of at least one of the one or more neighbor network entities, wherein the network entity corresponds to a serving network entity. In an aspect, the UE <NUM> and/or the communication component <NUM>/configuration component <NUM> may be configured to receive, from a network entity, a measurement request to measure channel information of at least one of the one or more neighbor network entities, wherein the network entity corresponds to a serving network entity. As such, the UE <NUM> and/or the communication component <NUM>/configuration component <NUM>, e.g., in conjunction with controller/processor <NUM>, which may include the memory <NUM>, processor(s) <NUM>, which may include the memory <NUM>, modem <NUM>, TX processor <NUM>, and transceiver <NUM> may define a means for receiving, by a UE from a network entity, a measurement request to measure channel information of at least one of the one or more neighbor network entities, wherein the network entity corresponds to a serving network entity.

At <NUM>, method <NUM> includes transmitting, by the UE to the network entity, the measurement report, wherein the measurement report configures the network entity to determine a single frequency network (SFN) network entity group for the UE. In an aspect, the UE <NUM> and/or the communication component <NUM>/configuration component <NUM> may be configured to transmit, to the network entity, the measurement report, wherein the measurement report configures the network entity to determine a SFN network entity group for the UE. As such, the UE <NUM> and/or the communication component <NUM>/configuration component <NUM>, e.g., in conjunction with controller/processor <NUM>, which may include the memory <NUM>, processor(s) <NUM>, which may include the memory <NUM>, modem <NUM>, RX processor <NUM>, and transceiver <NUM> may define a means for transmitting, by the UE to the network entity, the measurement report, wherein the measurement report configures the network entity to determine a SFN network entity group for the UE.

At <NUM>, method <NUM> includes optionally receiving, by the UE from the network entity, a downlink control information (DCI). In an aspect, the UE <NUM> and/or the communication component <NUM>/configuration component <NUM> may be configured to receive, from the network entity, a DCI. As such, the UE <NUM> and/or the communication component <NUM>/configuration component <NUM>, e.g., in conjunction with controller/processor <NUM>, which may include the memory <NUM>, processor(s) <NUM>, which may include the memory <NUM>, modem <NUM>, RX processor <NUM>, and transceiver <NUM> may define a means for receiving, by the UE from the network entity, a DCI. For example, the UE <NUM> and/or the communication component <NUM>/configuration component <NUM> may configure to use a single analog reception beam based on the DCI, wherein the one or more neighbor network entities are transmitting beams in the SFN.

In an example of method <NUM>, the measurement request includes one or more neighbor cell PCIs, SSB locations of neighbor cells, and SSB periodicity of neighbor cells. Further, the measurement report includes one or more strongest SSB indexes and LI-RSRP of corresponding SSBs.

In an example of method <NUM>, the DCI includes at least transmission configuration indicator/quasi-co location (TCI/QCL) information associated with the network entity.

Referring to <FIG>, one example of an implementation of UE <NUM> may include a variety of components, some of which have already been described above and are described further herein, including components such as one or more processors <NUM> and memory <NUM> and transceiver <NUM> in communication via one or more buses <NUM>, which may operate in conjunction with modem <NUM> and/or communication component <NUM> for a SFN transmission procedure for millimeter wave band (e.g., FR2) in <NUM> New Radio (NR).

In an aspect, the one or more processors <NUM> can include a modem <NUM> and/or can be part of the modem <NUM> that uses one or more modem processors. Thus, the various functions related to communication component <NUM> may be included in modem <NUM> and/or processors <NUM> and, in an aspect, can be executed by a single processor, while in other aspects, different ones of the functions may be executed by a combination of two or more different processors. For example, in an aspect, the one or more processors <NUM> may include any one or any combination of a modem processor, or a baseband processor, or a digital signal processor, or a transmit processor, or a receiver processor, or a transceiver processor associated with transceiver <NUM>. In other aspects, some of the features of the one or more processors <NUM> and/or modem <NUM> associated with communication component <NUM> may be performed by transceiver <NUM>.

Also, memory <NUM> may be configured to store data used herein and/or local versions of applications <NUM> or communicating component <NUM> and/or one or more of its subcomponents being executed by at least one processor <NUM>. Memory <NUM> can include any type of computer-readable medium usable by a computer or at least one processor <NUM>, such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), tapes, magnetic discs, optical discs, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and any combination thereof. In an aspect, for example, memory <NUM> may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores one or more computer-executable codes defining communication component <NUM> and/or one or more of its subcomponents, and/or data associated therewith, when UE <NUM> is operating at least one processor <NUM> to execute communication component <NUM> and/or one or more of its subcomponents.

Referring to <FIG>, one example of an implementation of base station <NUM> (e.g., a base station <NUM>, as described above) may include a variety of components, some of which have already been described above, but including components such as one or more processors <NUM> and memory <NUM> and transceiver <NUM> in communication via one or more buses <NUM>, which may operate in conjunction with modem <NUM> and communication component <NUM> for communicating reference signals.

Claim 1:
An apparatus for wireless communication in a millimeter wave band, comprising:
a transceiver (<NUM>);
a memory (<NUM>) configured to store instructions; and
one or more processors (<NUM>) communicatively coupled with the transceiver (<NUM>) and the memory (<NUM>), wherein the one or more processors (<NUM>) are configured to:
receive (<NUM>), by a network entity (<NUM>) from a user equipment, UE (<NUM>), a measurement report, wherein the network entity (<NUM>) corresponds to a serving network entity, and wherein the measurement report includes one or more strongest SSB indexes;
determine (<NUM>), by the network entity (<NUM>), a single frequency network, SFN, network entity group for the UE (<NUM>) based on the measurement report, wherein the SFN network entity group corresponds to a one or more neighbor network entities designated for transmitting SFN data to the UE (<NUM>); and
transmit (<NUM>) an indication for transmission of SFN data to the one or more neighbor network entities associated with the SFN network entity group, wherein the indication is configured to trigger the one or more neighbor network entities to transmit SFN data to the UE (<NUM>) using an analog transmission beam associated with the one or more strongest SSB indexes obtained from the measurement report.