Patent Description:
<NPL> relates to a number of proposals for signaling the SS-block time index.

<NPL> relates to a paper aimed at sharing with RAN2 the progress of SI on New Radio Access Technology in the other RAN WGs, which are relevant to the RAN2 study area.

<CIT> relates to apparatuses and methods that are capable of improving transmission efficiency in a communication system where a base station and a terminal communicate with each other.

A network that includes both small cell and macro cells may be known as a heterogeneous network. The base stations <NUM> / UEs <NUM> may use spectrum up to Y MHz (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) bandwidth per carrier allocated in a carrier aggregation of up to a total of Yx MHz (x component carriers) used for transmission in each direction. Allocation of carriers may be asymmetric with respect to DL and UL (e.g., more or less carriers may be allocated for DL than for UL).

The base station may also be referred to as a gNB, Node B, evolved Node B (eNB), an access point, a base transceiver station, a radio base station, a radio transceiver, a transceiver function, a basic service set (BSS), an extended service set (ESS), or some other suitable terminology. The base station <NUM> provides an access point to the EPC <NUM> for a UE <NUM>. Examples of UEs <NUM> include a cellular phone, a smart phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a satellite radio, a global positioning system, a multimedia device, a video device, a digital audio player (e.g., MP3 player), a camera, a game console, a tablet, a smart device, a wearable device, a vehicle, an electric meter, a gas pump, a large or small kitchen appliance, a healthcare device, an implant, a display, or any other similar functioning device.

Referring again to <FIG>, in certain aspects, the UE <NUM> / base station <NUM> may be configured to scramble/descramble information based on an SS block index (or any part or subset of the SS block index), where the SS block index indexes a particular SS block within an SS burst within an SS burst set (<NUM>). The information may be scrambled based on the SS block index before being transmitted and/or may be descrambled based on the SS block index after being received.

<FIG> is a diagram <NUM> illustrating an example of a DL subframe within a <NUM>/NR frame structure. <FIG> is a diagram <NUM> illustrating an example of channels within a DL subframe. <FIG> is a diagram <NUM> illustrating an example of an UL subframe within a <NUM>/NR frame structure. <FIG> is a diagram <NUM> illustrating an example of channels within an UL subframe. In the examples provided by <FIG>, the <NUM>/NR frame structure is assumed to be TDD, with subframe <NUM> a DL subframe and subframe <NUM> an UL subframe. While subframe <NUM> is illustrated as providing just DL and subframe <NUM> is illustrated as providing just UL, any particular subframe may be split into different subsets that provide both UL and DL. Note that the description infra applies also to a <NUM>/NR frame structure that is FDD.

For slot configuration <NUM>, different numerologies <NUM> to <NUM> allow for <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> slots, respectively, per subframe. The subcarrier spacing may be equal to <NUM>µ * <NUM> kKz, where µ is the numerology <NUM>-<NUM>. <FIG> provide an example of slot configuration <NUM> with <NUM> symbols per slot and numerology <NUM> with <NUM> slots per subframe.

As illustrated in <FIG>, some of the REs carry reference (pilot) signals (RS) for the UE (indicated as R). The RS may include demodulation RS (DMRS) and channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS) for channel estimation at the UE. The RS may also include beam measurement RS (BRS), beam refinement RS (BRRS), and phase-noise tracking RS (PT-RS).

<FIG> illustrates an example of various channels within a DL subframe of a frame. The physical control format indicator channel (PCFICH) is within symbol <NUM> of slot <NUM>, and carries a control format indicator (CFI) that indicates whether the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) occupies <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> symbols (<FIG> illustrates a PDCCH that occupies <NUM> symbols). The PDCCH carries downlink control information (DCI) within one or more control channel elements (CCEs), each CCE including nine RE groups (REGs), each REG including four consecutive REs in an OFDM symbol. A UE may be configured with a UE-specific enhanced PDCCH (ePDCCH) that also carries DCI. The ePDCCH may have <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> RB pairs (<FIG> shows two RB pairs, each subset including one RB pair). The physical hybrid automatic repeat request (ARQ) (HARQ) indicator channel (PHICH) is also within symbol <NUM> of slot <NUM> and carries the HARQ indicator (HI) that indicates HARQ acknowledgement (ACK) / negative ACK (NACK) feedback based on the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). The primary synchronization channel (PSCH) may be within symbol <NUM> of slot <NUM> within subframes <NUM> and <NUM> of a frame. The PSCH carries a primary synchronization signal (PSS) that is used by a UE <NUM> to determine subframe/symbol timing and a physical layer identity. The secondary synchronization channel (SSCH) may be within symbol <NUM> of slot <NUM> within subframes <NUM> and <NUM> of a frame. The SSCH carries a secondary synchronization signal (SSS) that is used by a UE to determine a physical layer cell identity group number and radio frame timing. Based on the PCI, the UE can determine the locations of the aforementioned DL-RS. The physical broadcast channel (PBCH), which carries a master information block (MIB), may be logically grouped with the PSCH and SSCH to form a synchronization signal (SS)/PBCH block. The MIB provides a number of RBs in the DL system bandwidth, a PHICH configuration, and a system frame number (SFN).

As illustrated in <FIG>, some of the REs carry demodulation reference signals (DMRS) for channel estimation at the base station. The UE may additionally transmit sounding reference signals (SRS) in the last symbol of a subframe.

<FIG> illustrates an example of various channels within an UL subframe of a frame. A physical random access channel (PRACH) may be within one or more subframes within a frame based on the PRACH configuration. The PRACH may include six consecutive RB pairs within a subframe. The PRACH allows the UE to perform initial system access and achieve UL synchronization. A physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) may be located on edges of the UL system bandwidth.

<FIG> is a diagram <NUM> illustrating a base station <NUM> in communication with a UE <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, when the UE <NUM> turns on, the UE <NUM> searches for a nearby NR network. The UE <NUM> discovers the base station <NUM>, which belongs to an NR network. The base station <NUM> transmits an SS block including the PSS, SSS, and the PBCH (including the MIB) periodically in different transmit directions 402a - <NUM>. The UE <NUM> receives the transmission 402e including the PSS, SSS, and PBCH. Based on the received SS block, the UE <NUM> synchronizes to the NR network and camps on a cell associated with the base station <NUM>.

As discussed supra, the PSS, SSS, and PBCH may be transmitted within an SS block. Each SS block has a corresponding SS block index (also referred to as SS/PBCH block index) indicated in <FIG> as one of <NUM>, <NUM>,. The PSS, SSS, and PBCH may be time division multiplexed and/or frequency division multiplexed with the SS block (<FIG> shows the PSS, SSS, and PBCH time division multiplexed within an SS block). While <FIG> shows the PSS, SSS, and PBCH as consecutive in time, the PSS, SSS, and PBCH may be non-consecutive in time, and therefore may be spaced from each other by one or more slots/symbols (i.e., may not be adjacent to each other in time). The SS block may include other signals/channels, and therefore other signals/channels other than the PSS, SSS, and PBCH may be multiplexed into the SS block. One or multiple SS blocks make up an SS burst. The number of SS blocks n in an SS burst may vary. SS blocks may or may not be consecutive with respect to the corresponding SS block index. SS blocks within an SS burst may or may not be the same. One or multiple SS bursts make up an SS burst set. The periodicity (period P) of SS bursts and the number of SS bursts in an SS burst set may vary. The number of SS bursts within an SS burst set is finite. The transmission of SS burst sets may be periodic or aperiodic.

<FIG> is a diagram <NUM> illustrating an example of an SS burst. <FIG> is a diagram <NUM> illustrating an example of SS bursts for different frequency bands/carriers. <FIG> is a diagram <NUM> illustrating a first example of an SS burst set. <FIG> is a diagram <NUM> illustrating a second example of an SS burst set. As illustrated in the diagram <NUM> of <FIG>, an SS burst includes a plurality of SS blocks corresponding to SS block indices <NUM>, <NUM>,. A subset <NUM> of the SS blocks (see indices <NUM>, <NUM>, in this example) may be preconfigured such that they may be off (i.e., not transmitted) to allow for transmission of an UL control block instead. As illustrated in the diagram <NUM> of <FIG>, different bands may have different SS burst configurations. For example, in band X, an SS burst may include SS blocks <NUM>, <NUM>,. , <NUM>, with SS blocks <NUM>, <NUM> being preconfigured for on/off to allow for transmission of an UL control block instead. For another example, in band Y, an SS burst may include SS blocks <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> with SS blocks <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> being preconfigured for on/off to allow for transmission of an UL control block instead. The illustrated SS burst may be an ith SS burst within an SS burst set. As illustrated in the diagram <NUM> of <FIG>, in a first example, an SS burst set may include K different SS bursts <NUM>, <NUM>,. The time length of the SS burst set may be N*<NUM>, where N is an integer. Referring to <FIG>, the periodicity (period P<NUM>) of an SS burst in an SS burst set is how often an SS burst is transmitted in an SS burst set. The periodicity of beam sweeping (period P<NUM>) is how often a beam sweeping SS burst repeats itself in an SS burst set. A UE may use repetitive SS bursts in an SS burst set to filter a reference signal received power (RSRP) over time for the same beam direction and/or to train sub-arrays. In the example of <FIG>, the SS burst set has a time length of <NUM>, the periodicity P<NUM> of the SS burst is <NUM>, and the periodicity P<NUM> of beam sweeping is <NUM>.

As discussed supra, the SS block index may be used to indicate an SS block within an SS burst or within an SS burst set. When the SS block index is used to indicate an SS block within an SS burst, SS bursts may have an SS burst index to indicate the particular SS burst within an SS burst set. As such, an SS block index can indicate an SS block within an SS burst within an SS burst set (e.g., SS block indices are <NUM>, <NUM>,. , n*K-<NUM> for SS blocks in an SS burst set, where there are n SS blocks per SS burst and K SS bursts in an SS burst set), or the combination of an SS block index and an SS burst index can indicate an SS block within an SS burst within an SS burst set (e.g., SS block indices are <NUM>, <NUM>,. , n-<NUM> for SS blocks in each SS burst set, and SS burst indices are <NUM>, <NUM>,. , K-<NUM> for SS bursts in an SS burst set). Herein, SS block index may refer to one or more indices for indicating an SS block within an SS burst within an SS burst set. A mapping function may be used to map an SS block index to a logic index. There may be a one to one mapping, with one SS block index mapped to one logic index. Alternatively, there may be a many to one mapping, with multiple SS block indices mapped to one logic index.

<FIG> is a diagram <NUM> illustrating a first exemplary call-flow diagram for a UE <NUM> and a base station <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, at <NUM>, the base station <NUM> determines an SS block index associated with an SS block for transmission at <NUM>. As discussed supra, the SS block may include at least one of a PSS, an SSS, or a PBCH. The base station <NUM> may determine the SS block index based on which SS block is being transmitted in a particular beam of a set of beams (see <FIG>, 402a-<NUM>). At <NUM>, the base station <NUM> scrambles information based on the determined SS block index. The base station <NUM> scrambles the information by generating a scrambling sequence based on a sequence/scrambling initialization that is based at least in part on the SS block index. For example, the scrambling initialization for scrambling the information is based on a subset of the SS block index. For another example, the scrambling initialization for scrambling the information may be based on both a subset of the SS block index and the cell ID of the base station <NUM> ( <MAT>). If the SS block index is m bits, the subset of the SS block index may include <NUM> to m bits. In one example, the subset of the SS block index is X least significant bits (LSBs) of the SS block index, where X may be <NUM> or <NUM>. In one example, the SS block index is <NUM> bits (e.g., b<NUM>b<NUM>b<NUM>b<NUM>b<NUM>b<NUM>) and the <NUM> LSBs (e.g., b<NUM>b<NUM>b<NUM>) of the SS block index are used for the scrambling initialization for scrambling the information. The information before scrambling may be encoded and/or unencoded, and may be scrambled based on the generated scrambling sequence. The information includes at least one of a reference signal, data, paging information, control information, broadcast information, or a CRC associated with control information. In one configuration, the reference signal is at least one of CSI-RS, measurement RS (MRS) (also referred to as mobility RS), DMRS (for a PDCCH, a PDSCH, or a PBCH), or PT-RS. In one configuration, the data is for a PDSCH, the paging information is for a paging channel (PCH), the control information is for a PDCCH, and the broadcast information is for a PBCH. When the information includes a scrambled CRC, the control information associated with the scrambled CRC may or may not be scrambled itself based on the SS block index.

For example, the sequence initialization for scrambling DMRS (e.g., PBCH DMRS) may be based on the cell ID of the base station <NUM> and on the <NUM> LSBs of the SS block index. Specifically, the initialization for the PBCH DMRS may be <MAT>, where ISSB is the SS block index, and where for max length L=<NUM>, ÍSSB = ISSB + <NUM>HF where HF=<NUM> in the first half frame of a radio frame and HF=<NUM> in the second half frame of a radio frame, and for max length L=<NUM>, and max L=<NUM>, ÍSSB = ISSB.

For another example, assume the information is broadcast information for a PBCH. Before the encoding/CRC process, the base station <NUM> may scramble the PBCH payload based on a scrambling sequence that is based on the cell ID of the base station <NUM> (scrambling sequence initialization <MAT>). Subsequently, after the encoding/CRC process, the base station <NUM> may scramble the encoded PBCH based on a scrambling sequence that is based on its cell ID (scrambling sequence initialization <MAT>) and X LSBs of the SS block index. The X LSBs bits of the SS block index are used to determine a sequential non-overlapping portion of the sequence. The sequence may be a Gold sequence of length M(<NUM>X), where M is the number of bits to be scrambled. The sequence may be partitioned into <NUM>X non-overlapping portions. The X LSBs bits of the SS block index uniquely identify indices of each of the non-overlapping portion of the sequence, where X=<NUM> for max length L=<NUM>, and X=<NUM> for max length L=<NUM> or <NUM>. For X=<NUM>, the sequence index (e.g., b<NUM>b<NUM>b<NUM>) used for each PBCH may be as follows (where M is the number of bits to be scrambled):.

At <NUM>, the base station <NUM> transmits the SS block and the scrambled information to the UE <NUM>. The SS block may include the scrambled information.

The base station <NUM> may use the SS block index to scramble a CRC when encoding a DL control payload. The base station <NUM> may use the scrambled CRC to convey a quasi-colocation (QCL) parameter for a control channel without explicit signaling. Two antenna ports are said to be quasi co-located if properties of the channel over which a symbol on one antenna port is conveyed can be inferred from the channel over which a symbol on the other antenna port is conveyed. QCL may support beam management functionality (at least including spatial parameters), frequency/timing offset estimation functionality (at least including Doppler/delay parameters), and radio resource management (RRM) functionality (at least including average gain). In NR, all or a subset of DMRS antenna ports may be quasi co-located. The conveyed QCL parameter may indicate QCL of reference signals associated with a beam pair including a beam associated with the control channel and the corresponding SS block index. By decoding the control channel and obtaining the SS block index, the UE <NUM> may be able to determine the QCL parameter associated with SS block index. The control channel may include a common control channel (CCCH) and/or a UE specific control channel (e.g., dedicated control channel (DCCH)). When the UE <NUM> decodes such DL control channel, the UE <NUM> may use the decoded DL control information or may discard the decoded DL control information depending on whether the UE <NUM> is configured to receive such control information scrambled by the SS block index. Referring again to <NUM>, the base station <NUM> may determine an SS block to be used by the UE <NUM> in association with QCL of reference signals. In such a configuration, at <NUM>, the base station <NUM> may generate a CRC based on control information to be transmitted to the UE <NUM>, and may scramble the CRC based on the determined SS block index. At <NUM>, the base station <NUM> may send the control information and the SS-block-index scrambled CRC to the UE <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the UE <NUM> receives the SS block including information scrambled based on the SS block index associated with the SS block.

At <NUM>, the UE <NUM> descrambles the scrambled information based on the SS block index. The UE <NUM> may descramble the information itself based on the SS block index, or may descramble a CRC associated with the information based on the SS block index. In the latter case, the UE <NUM> may decode the information based on the descrambled CRC.

When the scrambled information <NUM> includes a CRC scrambled based on an SS block index, the UE <NUM> may descramble the CRC based on the SS block index, and decode received control information based on the descrambled CRC (e.g., decode received control information, generate a CRC based on the decoded control information, and compare the generated CRC to the descrambled CRC to determine whether the control information was decoded/descrambled successfully). Subsequently, at <NUM>, the UE may determine a QCL parameter based on the SS block index used to descramble the CRC. As discussed supra, the QCL parameter may indicate QCL of reference signals associated with a beam pair including a beam associated with the control channel and the corresponding SS block index.

<FIG> is a diagram <NUM> illustrating a second exemplary call-flow diagram for a UE and a base station. At <NUM>, a UE <NUM> determines an SS block index associated with an SS block for reception. The SS block associated with the SS block index may have been previously received or may be received in the future. At <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may receive an uplink grant from the base station <NUM>, and may determine the SS block index based on the uplink grant. For example, if the UE receives an UL grant and an SS block in or associated with a beam, the UE may determine the SS block index to be the SS block index associated with the same beam as the UL grant. Alternatively, the UE <NUM> may receive, from the base station <NUM>, information indicating the SS block index and, at <NUM>, may determine the SS block index based on the received information.

At <NUM>, the UE <NUM> scrambles information based on the determined SS block index. The UE <NUM> may scramble the information by generating a scrambling sequence based on a sequence initialization that is based at least in part on the SS block index. The information before scrambling may be encoded and/or unencoded, and may be scrambled based on the generated scrambling sequence. The information includes at least one of data, control information, or a CRC associated with control information. In one configuration, the data is for a PUSCH, and the control information is for a PUCCH.

At <NUM>, the UE <NUM> transmits the scrambled information to a base station <NUM>. When the scrambled information includes a CRC scrambled by the SS block index, the UE <NUM> may transmit UL control information along with the SS-block-index scrambled CRC. The base station <NUM> receives, from the UE, the information scrambled based on the SS block index.

At <NUM>, the base station <NUM> descrambles the scrambled information based on the SS block index. When the scrambled information includes a CRC scrambled based on an SS block index, the base station <NUM> may descramble the CRC based on the SS block index, and decode the received UL control information based on the descrambled CRC (e.g., decode the received UL control information, generate a CRC based on the decoded UL control information, and compare the generated CRC to the descrambled CRC to determine whether the UL control information was decoded/descrambled successfully).

<FIG> illustrates flowcharts <NUM>, <NUM> of methods of wireless communication of a base station. With respect to the flow chart <NUM>, at <NUM>, a base station determines an SS block index associated with an SS block for transmission. As discussed supra in relation to <FIG>, the SS block may include at least one of a PSS, an SSS, or a PBCH. If the base station transmits n SS blocks within an SS burst, and transmits K SS bursts within an SS burst set, the base station may determine the SS block index based on which SS block is being sent within a particular SS burst of an SS burst set. As such, the SS block index may be a function of n and K, as discussed supra in relation to <FIG>. In one example, the SS block index ISSB may be one parameter within <NUM>, <NUM>,. , n*K-<NUM> for indicating the SS block within an SS burst within an SS burst set. In another example, the SS block index ISSB may be two parameters, with a first parameter between <NUM>, <NUM>,. , n-<NUM> (e.g., s<NUM>s<NUM>s<NUM>c<NUM>, if <NUM> bits with n=<NUM>) for indicating a particular SS block within an SS burst, and a second parameter between <NUM>, <NUM>,. , K-<NUM> (e.g., b<NUM>b<NUM>b<NUM>b<NUM>b<NUM>b<NUM>, if <NUM> bits with K=<NUM>) to indicate a particular SS burst within an SS burst set.

At <NUM>, the base station scrambles information based on at least a portion of the determined SS block index ISSB. The information may be scrambled based on a subset (a portion of) of the SS block index ISSB, such as for example, X LSBs of the SS block index. The information includes at least one of a reference signal, data, paging information, control information, broadcast information, or a CRC associated with control information. The reference signal may be at least one of CSI-RS, MRS, DMRS (e.g., for a PDCCH, a PDSCH, or a PBCH), or PT-RS. In one configuration, the data is for a PDSCH, the paging information is for a PCH, the control information is for a PDCCH, and the broadcast information is for a PBCH. Using at least a portion of the determined SS block index ISSB, the base station may scramble one or more of the various types of information. The base station may scramble the information by generating a scrambling sequence based on a sequence initialization that is based at least in part on the at least the portion of the SS block index. The information before scrambling may be encoded and/or unencoded, and may be scrambled based on the generated scrambling sequence.

In one configuration, the scrambled information includes the CRC scrambled based on the at least the portion of the SS block index, and the CRC is for control information sent to the UE. In such a configuration, at <NUM>, the base station may determine an SS block to be used by a UE in association with QCL of reference signals. Further, at <NUM>, the base station may scramble the CRC based on the at least the portion of the SS block index of the determined SS block in <NUM> to be used by the UE in association with QCL of reference signals.

At <NUM>, the base station transmits the SS block and the scrambled information. The scrambled information may be transmitted with (concurrently in time with) or without (non-concurrently in time with) the SS block. For example, when the scrambled information is the PBCH, the scrambled PBCH is sent with the SS block. However, when the scrambled information is control information with a CRC, the scrambled control information with a CRC may not be transmitted concurrently in time with the SS block.

With respect to the flow chart <NUM>, at <NUM>, a base station may send, to a UE, an uplink grant for information, where the uplink grant is associated with an SS block index. Alternatively, the base station may send, to the UE, SS block index information indicating an SS block index for scrambling information.

At <NUM>, the base station receives, from the UE, the information scrambled based on at least a portion of the SS block index. The scrambled information includes at least one of data or control information. In one configuration, the data is for a PUSCH, and the control information is for a PUCCH.

At <NUM>, the base station descrambles the scrambled information based on the at least the portion of the SS block index. For example, the base station may receive information from the UE that is scrambled based on the at least the portion of the SS block index, and may descramble the received information based on the at least the portion of the SS block index. For another example, the base station may receive the information with a CRC scrambled based on the at least the portion of the SS block index. The base station may descramble the CRC received from the UE, decode the information, generate a CRC based on the decoded information, and compare the generated CRC to the descrambled CRC to determine whether the information received from the UE was decoded/descrambled successfully.

<FIG> illustrates flowcharts <NUM>, <NUM> of methods of wireless communication of a UE. With respect to the flow chart <NUM>, at <NUM>, a UE receives an SS block and information scrambled based on at least a portion of an SS block index associated with the SS block. As discussed in relation to <FIG>, the SS block may include at least one of a PSS, an SSS, or a PBCH. The information includes at least one of a reference signal, data, paging information, control information, broadcast information, or a CRC associated with control information. In one configuration, the reference signal is at least one of CSI-RS, MRS, DMRS (e.g., for a PDCCH, a PDSCH, or a PBCH), or PT-RS. In one configuration, the data is for a PDSCH, the paging information is for a PCH, the control information is for a PDCCH, and the broadcast information is for a PBCH.

At <NUM>, the UE descrambles the scrambled information based on the at least the portion of the SS block index. In one configuration, the scrambled information includes a CRC scrambled based on the at least the portion of the SS block index. In such a configuration, at <NUM>, the UE descrambles the CRC based on the at least the portion of the SS block index, and decodes received control information based on the descrambled CRC.

In the configuration in which the UE descrambles the CRC based on the at least the portion of the SS block index and decodes received control information based on the descrambled CRC, at <NUM>, the UE may determine a QCL parameter based on the at least the portion of the SS block index used to descramble the CRC.

With respect to the flow chart <NUM>, at <NUM>, a UE may receive an uplink grant from a base station. Alternatively, the UE may receive, from the base station, information indicating an SS block index.

At <NUM>, the UE determines the SS block index associated with an SS block for reception. The UE may determine the SS block index based on the uplink grant, or otherwise, based on the information indicating an SS block index.

At <NUM>, the UE scrambles information based on at least a portion of the determined SS block index. The information includes at least one of data or control information. In one configuration, the data is for a PUSCH, and the control information is for a PUCCH. The UE may scramble the information itself and/or may scramble a CRC associated with the information. The UE may scramble the information by generating a scrambling sequence based on a sequence initialization that is based at least in part on the at least the portion of the SS block index. The information before scrambling may be at least one of encoded or unencoded, and may be scrambled based on the generated scrambling sequence.

At <NUM>, the UE transmits the scrambled information to a base station. The scrambled information may include the information scrambled based on the at least the portion of the SS block index, or may include both the information and a CRC (generated based on the information) that is scrambled based on the at least the portion of the SS block index.

<FIG> is a conceptual data flow diagram <NUM> illustrating the data flow between different means/components in an exemplary apparatus <NUM>. The apparatus may be a base station, such as the base station <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The apparatus includes an SS block index determination component <NUM> that may be configured to determine an SS block index associated with an SS block for transmission. The SS block index determination component <NUM> may provide the determined SS block index to an SS block index scrambler/descrambler component <NUM>. The SS block index scrambler/descrambler component <NUM> may be configured to scramble information based on at least a portion of the determined SS block index. The information may include at least one of a reference signal, data, paging information, control information, broadcast information, or a CRC associated with control information. After scrambling the information, the SS block index scrambler/descrambler component <NUM> may provide the scrambled information to a transmission component <NUM>. The transmission component <NUM> may be configured to transmit the SS block and the scrambled information to a UE <NUM>.

As discussed supra, the reference signal may be at least one of CSI-RS, MRS, DMRS (e.g., for a PDCCH, a PDSCH, or a PBCH), or PT-RS. Further, the data may be for a PDSCH, the paging information may be for a PCH, the control information may be for a PDCCH, and the broadcast information may be for a PBCH. The SS block may include at least one of a PSS, an SSS, or a PBCH.

The scrambled information may include the CRC scrambled based on the at least the portion of the SS block index, where the CRC is for control information sent to the UE <NUM>. In such a configuration, the SS Block index determination component <NUM> may be configured to determine an SS block to be used by the UE <NUM> in association with QCL of reference signals, and the CRC may be scrambled based on the at least the portion of the SS block index of the determined SS block to be used by the UE <NUM> in association with QCL of reference signals.

The SS block index scrambler/descrambler component <NUM> may be configured to scramble the information by generating a scrambling sequence based on a sequence initialization that is based at least in part on the at least the portion of the SS block index. The information before scrambling may be at least one of encoded or unencoded, and may be scrambled based on the generated scrambling sequence.

The apparatus <NUM> may further include a reception component <NUM> that is configured to receive, from the UE <NUM>, information scrambled based on at least a portion of an SS block index, where the scrambled information includes at least one of data or control information. The reception component <NUM> may provide the received scrambled information to the SS block index scrambler/descrambler component <NUM>. The reception component <NUM> may also provide SS block index information associated with the received scrambled information to the SS block index determination component <NUM> so that the SS block index determination component <NUM> may determine an SS block index associated with the received scrambled information. In such case, the SS block index determination component <NUM> may provide the SS block index associated with the received scrambled information to the SS block index scrambler/descrambler component <NUM>. The SS block index scrambler/descrambler component <NUM> may be configured to descramble the scrambled information based on the at least the portion of the SS block index.

As discussed supra, the data may be for a PUSCH, and the control information may be for a PUCCH. The transmission component <NUM> may be configured to send, to the UE <NUM>, an uplink grant for the information, wherein the uplink grant is associated with the SS block index. Alternatively, the SS block index determination component <NUM> may provide an SS block index to the transmission component <NUM>, and the transmission component <NUM> may send, to the UE <NUM>, SS block index information indicating the SS block index for scrambling the information. The SS block index scrambler/descrambler component <NUM> may be configured to scramble the information by generating a scrambling sequence based on a sequence initialization that is based at least in part on at least a portion of the SS block index, where the information before scrambling is at least one of encoded or unencoded, and the information is scrambled based on the generated scrambling sequence.

The apparatus may include additional components that perform each of the blocks of the algorithm in the aforementioned flowcharts <NUM>, <NUM> of <FIG>. As such, each block in the aforementioned flowcharts <NUM>, <NUM> of <FIG> may be performed by a component and the apparatus may include one or more of those components.

<FIG> is a diagram <NUM> illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus <NUM>' employing a processing system <NUM>. The processing system <NUM> may be implemented with a bus architecture, represented generally by the bus <NUM>. The bus <NUM> may include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges depending on the specific application of the processing system <NUM> and the overall design constraints. The bus <NUM> links together various circuits including one or more processors and/or hardware components, represented by the processor <NUM>, the components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the computer-readable medium / memory <NUM>. The bus <NUM> may also link various other circuits such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art, and therefore, will not be described any further.

The processing system <NUM> may be coupled to a transceiver <NUM>. The transceiver <NUM> is coupled to one or more antennas <NUM>. The transceiver <NUM> provides a means for communicating with various other apparatus over a transmission medium. The transceiver <NUM> receives a signal from the one or more antennas <NUM>, extracts information from the received signal, and provides the extracted information to the processing system <NUM>, specifically the reception component <NUM>. In addition, the transceiver <NUM> receives information from the processing system <NUM>, specifically the transmission component <NUM>, and based on the received information, generates a signal to be applied to the one or more antennas <NUM>. The processing system <NUM> includes a processor <NUM> coupled to a computer-readable medium / memory <NUM>. The processor <NUM> is responsible for general processing, including the execution of software stored on the computer-readable medium / memory <NUM>. The software, when executed by the processor <NUM>, causes the processing system <NUM> to perform the various functions described supra for any particular apparatus. The computer-readable medium / memory <NUM> may also be used for storing data that is manipulated by the processor <NUM> when executing software. The processing system <NUM> further includes at least one of the components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The components may be software components running in the processor <NUM>, resident/stored in the computer readable medium / memory <NUM>, one or more hardware components coupled to the processor <NUM>, or some combination thereof. The processing system <NUM> may be a component of the base station <NUM> and may include the memory <NUM> and/or at least one of the TX processor <NUM>, the RX processor <NUM>, and the controller/processor <NUM>.

In one configuration, the apparatus <NUM>/<NUM>' for wireless communication is a base station and may include means for determining an SS block index associated with an SS block for transmission. The addition, the apparatus may include means for scrambling information based on at least a portion of the determined SS block index, where the information includes at least one of a reference signal, data, paging information, control information, broadcast information, or a CRC associated with control information. Further, the apparatus may include means for transmitting the SS block and the scrambled information. In one configuration, the scrambled information includes the CRC scrambled based on the at least the portion of the SS block index, and the CRC is for control information sent to the UE. In such a configuration, the apparatus may further include means for determining an SS block to be used by a UE in association with QCL of reference signals. The CRC may be scrambled based on the at least the portion of the SS block index of the determined SS block to be used by the UE in association with QCL of reference signals. In one configuration, the means for scrambling the information may be configured to generate a scrambling sequence based on a sequence initialization that is based at least in part on the at least the portion of the SS block index, where the information before scrambling is at least one of encoded or unencoded, and the information is scrambled based on the generated scrambling sequence.

In one configuration, the apparatus <NUM>/<NUM>' for wireless communication is a base station and may include means for receiving, from a UE, information scrambled based on at least a portion of an SS block index, where the scrambled information includes at least one of data or control information. The apparatus may further include means for descrambling the scrambled information based on the at least the portion of the SS block index. In one configuration, the apparatus further includes means for sending, to the UE, an uplink grant for the information, where the uplink grant is associated with the SS block index. In one configuration, the apparatus may further include means for sending, to the UE, SS block index information indicating the SS block index for scrambling the information.

<FIG> is a conceptual data flow diagram <NUM> illustrating the data flow between different means/components in an exemplary apparatus <NUM>. The apparatus may be a UE, such as the UE <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The apparatus includes a reception component <NUM> configured to receive an SS block and information scrambled based on at least a portion of an SS block index associated with the SS block. The SS block may include at least one of a PSS, an SSS, or a PBCH. The information includes at least one of a reference signal, data, paging information, control information, broadcast information, or a CRC associated with control information. The reception component <NUM> may provide the scrambled information to an SS block index scrambler/descrambler component <NUM>. The SS block index scrambler/descrambler component <NUM> may be configured to descramble the scrambled information based on the at least the portion of the SS block index.

The reference signal may be at least one of CSI-RS, MRS, DMRS (e.g., for a PDCCH, a PDSCH, or a PBCH), or PT-RS. The data may be for a PDSCH, the paging information may be for a PCH, the control information may be for a PDCCH, and the broadcast information may be for a PBCH.

The scrambled information may include the CRC scrambled based on the at least the portion of the SS block index. In such a configuration, the SS block index scrambler/descrambler component <NUM> may be configured to descramble the scrambled information based on the at least the portion of the SS block index by descrambling the CRC based on the at least the portion of the SS block index, and decoding received control information based on the descrambled CRC. The apparatus may further include a QCL component <NUM> that is configured to determine a QCL parameter based on the at least the portion of the SS block index used to descramble the CRC.

The apparatus may further include an SS block index determination component <NUM> that is configured to determine an SS block index associated with an SS block for reception. The SS block index determination component <NUM> may receive SS block index information from the reception component <NUM> in order to determine the SS block index. The SS block index determination component <NUM> may provide the determined SS block index to an SS block index scrambler/descrambler component <NUM>. The SS block index scrambler/descrambler component <NUM> may be configured to scramble information based on the at least the portion of the determined SS block index. The information may include at least one of data, control information, or a CRC associated with control information. The SS block index scrambler/descrambler component <NUM> may provide the scrambled information to a transmission component <NUM>. The transmission component <NUM> may be configured to transmit the scrambled information to a base station <NUM>.

The data may be for a PUSCH, and the control information may be for a PUCCH. The reception component <NUM> may be configured to receive an uplink grant from the base station <NUM>. The SS block index determination component <NUM> may determine the SS block index based on the uplink grant. Alternatively, the reception component <NUM> may be configured to receive, from the base station <NUM>, SS block index information indicating the SS block index. The reception component <NUM> may provide the SS block index information to the SS block index determination component <NUM> so that the SS block index determination component <NUM> may determine the SS block index. The SS block index scrambler/descrambler component <NUM> may be configured to scramble the information by generating a scrambling sequence based on a sequence initialization that is based at least in part on the at least the portion of the SS block index. The information before scrambling may be at least one of encoded or unencoded, and the information may be scrambled based on the generated scrambling sequence.

<FIG> is a diagram <NUM> illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus <NUM>' employing a processing system <NUM>. The processing system <NUM> may be implemented with a bus architecture, represented generally by the bus <NUM>. The bus <NUM> may include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges depending on the specific application of the processing system <NUM> and the overall design constraints. The bus <NUM> links together various circuits including one or more processors and/or hardware components, represented by the processor <NUM>, the components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the computer-readable medium / memory <NUM>. The bus <NUM> may also link various other circuits such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art, and therefore, will not be described any further.

The processing system <NUM> may be coupled to a transceiver <NUM>. The transceiver <NUM> is coupled to one or more antennas <NUM>. The transceiver <NUM> provides a means for communicating with various other apparatus over a transmission medium. The transceiver <NUM> receives a signal from the one or more antennas <NUM>, extracts information from the received signal, and provides the extracted information to the processing system <NUM>, specifically the reception component <NUM>. In addition, the transceiver <NUM> receives information from the processing system <NUM>, specifically the transmission component <NUM>, and based on the received information, generates a signal to be applied to the one or more antennas <NUM>. The processing system <NUM> includes a processor <NUM> coupled to a computer-readable medium / memory <NUM>. The processor <NUM> is responsible for general processing, including the execution of software stored on the computer-readable medium / memory <NUM>. The software, when executed by the processor <NUM>, causes the processing system <NUM> to perform the various functions described supra for any particular apparatus. The computer-readable medium / memory <NUM> may also be used for storing data that is manipulated by the processor <NUM> when executing software. The processing system <NUM> further includes at least one of the components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The components may be software components running in the processor <NUM>, resident/stored in the computer readable medium / memory <NUM>, one or more hardware components coupled to the processor <NUM>, or some combination thereof. The processing system <NUM> may be a component of the UE <NUM> and may include the memory <NUM> and/or at least one of the TX processor <NUM>, the RX processor <NUM>, and the controller/processor <NUM>.

In one configuration, the apparatus <NUM>/<NUM>' for wireless communication is a UE and may include means for receiving an SS block and information scrambled based on at least a portion of an SS block index associated with the SS block. The information includes at least one of a reference signal, data, paging information, control information, broadcast information, or a CRC associated with control information. The apparatus may further include means for descrambling the scrambled information based on the at least the portion of the SS block index. In one configuration, the scrambled information includes the CRC scrambled based on the at least the portion of the SS block index, and the means for descrambling the scrambled information based on the at least the portion of the SS block index is configured to descramble the CRC based on the at least the portion of the SS block index, and to decode received control information based on the descrambled CRC. In such a configuration, the apparatus may further include means for determining a QCL parameter based on the at least the portion of the SS block index used to descramble the CRC.

In one configuration, the apparatus <NUM>/<NUM>' for wireless communication is a UE and may include means for determining an SS block index associated with an SS block for reception. The apparatus may further include means for scrambling information based on at least a portion of the determined SS block index. The information may include at least one of data, control information, or a CRC associated with control information. The apparatus may further include means for transmitting the scrambled information to a base station.

In one configuration, the apparatus may further include means for receiving an uplink grant from the base station, where the SS block index is determined based on the uplink grant. In one configuration, the apparatus may further include means for receiving, from the base station, information indicating the SS block index. In one configuration, the means for scrambling the information may be configured to generate a scrambling sequence based on a sequence initialization that is based at least in part on at least a portion of the SS block index, where the information before scrambling is at least one of encoded or unencoded, and the information is scrambled based on the generated scrambling sequence.

As discussed supra, a base station / UE may scramble/descramble information based on at least a portion (subset) of an SS block index, where the SS block index indexes a particular SS block within an SS burst within an SS burst set. The SS block index may be one or multiple values to indicate a particular SS block index within an SS burst within an SS burst set. The information may be scrambled before being transmitted or may be descrambled after being received. For a base station transmitting information, the information may be at least one of a reference signal, data, paging information, control information, broadcast information, or a CRC associated with control information. For a UE transmitting information, the information may be at least one of data, control information, or a CRC associated with control information.

Claim 1:
A method of wireless communication at a base station, the method comprising:
determining a synchronization signal, SS, block index associated with an SS block, wherein the SS block index is based on an index of the SS block within an SS burst;
scrambling information based on a SS block index portion, wherein the SS block index portion comprises a portion of the determined SS block index, the SS block index portion comprising x least significant bits of the determined SS block index, where x is based on a maximum length of the SS block index portion, wherein the information includes broadcast information associated with control information; and
transmitting the SS block, wherein the SS block includes the scrambled information.