Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems, and more particularly, to the transmission and reception of data in a control region.

<NPL>, suggests that sPDCCH design should support reuse of unused DL control resources for sPDSCH data and that the eNB may select a different beamformer for sPDCCH and multiplexed sPDSCH.

<NPL>, suggests that FDM between control and data is possible, i.e. data may use unused resource elements/(P)RBs in the OFDM symbol(s) used for control and that beamforming may be performed for the control channel.

<NPL>, suggests to have a dynamic duration of a control resource set (one or several symbols) and to dynamically reuse the unused parts of the (OFDM symbols occupied by the) control resource set for data transmission. It is suggested to use the PCFICH to signal the number of FDM symbols in the control resource set as well as the MCS and RS density of the control channel.

Independent claim <NUM> defines a method of wireless communication at a user equipment according to the invention.

Independent claim <NUM> defines a corresponding apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment according to the invention.

It is noted that corresponding computer program according to the invention is defined in claim <NUM>.

A control region in <NUM>/NR, e.g., spanning first few Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, may be split into sub-bands called resource sets. For example, the control region may span a designated set of symbols within a slot. When only a subset of the resource sets in the control region are utilized for control channel transmissions, e.g., Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) transmission, of the remaining resource sets are unused. These unused resource sets in the control region could be used for data transmissions, e.g., Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH). Similarly, resources of an uplink control region that are not used for control transmissions may be used for data transmissions, e.g., Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) transmissions. However, performance may be impacted when data, such as PDSCH or PUSCH, is transmitted in the control region. For example, using a same modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for data transmitted in the control as for data transmitted in a data region may impact performance. Additionally, due to analog beamforming (BF) constraints, a user equipment (UE) might be forced to use a control beam to receive the data, which may lead to performance loss. Furthermore, an interference profile in the control region, e.g., the first few OFDM symbols, may be different from an interference profile in a data region. Therefore, there is a need to improve data transmission, e.g., PDSCH/PUSCH performance, when data is transmitted in resources of a control region.

In order to avoid performance loss, a base station may adjust the data transmission in the control region in comparison to a data transmission in a data region. For example, the base station may transmit PDSCH in a control region using a different MCS, a different rank, or a different Traffic-to-pilot Ratio (TPR) than the base station uses to transmit PDSCH in a data region. A different MCS may include a different modulation, e.g., 16QAM for a data transmission in a control region rather than the <NUM> QZM used for a data transmission in a data region. A different MCS may also include a different coding rate, e.g., a coding rate of ½ code for a data transmission in a control region rather than the <NUM>/<NUM> coding rate used for a data transmission in a data region. The base station may provide information to the UE regarding such data transmissions in the control region. The UE may use the information to perform rate matching or demodulation of the data transmission. Similarly, the base station may provide information to the UE that the UE may use to adjust MCS/rank/TPR for transmitting a PUSCH in a control region.

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided for wireless communication at a UE. The apparatus receives communication from a base station in a control region and a data region of a slot. The UE receives an indication from the base station regarding a data transmission in the control region. The data transmission in the control region overlaps a control transmission in time, and the indication indicates a different MCS, a different rank, and/or a different TPR for the data transmission in the control region than for data transmitted in a data region. The indication may comprise any of a reduced MCS, a reduced rank, an MCS delta, a different TPR, a TPR delta, a rank delta, an indication that no data is transmitted in the control region, a control span for a group of UEs, and a starting symbol for the data transmission. The apparatus may use the indication to perform rate matching or demodulation of the data transmission.

The indication may be received as any of Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, a Medium Access Control (MAC) control element, or downlink control information (DCI).

In another aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided for wireless communication at a base station. The apparatus transmits communication to a UE a control region and a data region and transmits an indication to the UE regarding a data transmission in the control region. The data transmission in the control region may overlap a control transmission in time, and the indication may indicate a different MCS, a different rank, and/or a different TPR for the data transmission in the control region than the MCS/rank for data transmitted in a data region. The indication may comprise any of a reduced MCS, a reduced rank, an MCS delta, a different TPR, a TPR delta, a rank delta, an indication that no data is transmitted in the control region, a control span for a group of UEs, and a starting symbol for the data transmission. The apparatus may use the indication to perform rate matching or demodulation of the data transmission. The indication may be received as any of RRC signaling, a MAC control element, or DCI.

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 YMHz (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).

When operating in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, the small cell <NUM>' may employ <NUM>/NR and use the same <NUM> unlicensed frequency spectrum as used by the Wi-Fi AP <NUM>. The small cell <NUM>', employing <NUM>/NR in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, may boost coverage to and/or increase capacity of the access network.

The IP Services <NUM> may include the Internet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), a PS Streaming Service (PSS), and/or other IP services.

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 toaster, or any other similar functioning device. Some of the UEs <NUM> may be referred to as IoT devices (e.g., parking meter, gas pump, toaster, vehicles, etc.).

Referring again to <FIG>, in certain aspects, the UE <NUM> may be configured to receive data transmissions in a control region of a slot. The UE <NUM> may comprise an indication component <NUM> configured to receive an indication from a base station regarding the data transmission in the control region. Similarly, the base station <NUM> may comprise a corresponding indication component configured to provide the indication to the UE. The indication may provide the UE with information regarding a different MCS/rank used for the data transmission compared to a data transmission in a data region of the slot, among other information.

<FIG> is a diagram <NUM> illustrating an example of a DL frame structure. <FIG> is a diagram <NUM> illustrating an example of channels within the DL frame structure. <FIG> is a diagram <NUM> illustrating an example of an UL frame structure. <FIG> is a diagram <NUM> illustrating an example of channels within the UL frame structure. For example, aspects of the frame structure may be employed for a <NUM>/NR frame structure. 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.

A frame (<NUM>) may be divided into <NUM> equally sized subframes. Each subframe may include two consecutive time slots. A resource grid may be used to represent the two time slots, each time slot including one or more time concurrent resource blocks (RBs) (also referred to as physical RBs (PRBs)). For a normal cyclic prefix, an RB contains <NUM> consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain and <NUM> consecutive symbols (for DL, OFDM symbols; for UL, SC-FDMA symbols) in the time domain, for a total of <NUM> REs. For an extended cyclic prefix, an RB contains <NUM> consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain and <NUM> consecutive symbols in the time domain, for a total of <NUM> REs.

As illustrated in <FIG>, some of the REs carry DL reference (pilot) signals (DL-RS) for channel estimation at the UE. The DL-RS may include cell-specific reference signals (CRS) (also sometimes called common RS), UE-specific reference signals (UE-RS), and channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS). <FIG> illustrates CRS for antenna ports <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> (indicated as R<NUM>, R<NUM>, R<NUM>, and R<NUM>, respectively), UE-RS for antenna port <NUM> (indicated as R<NUM>), and CSI-RS for antenna port <NUM> (indicated as R). <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 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) 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 (DM-RS) 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> may transmit 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>. the base station <NUM> may transmit a beamformed signal to the UE <NUM> in one or more of the directions 402a, 402b, 402c, 402d, 402e, 402f, <NUM>, <NUM>. The UE <NUM> may receive the beamformed signal from the base station <NUM> in one or more receive directions 404a, 404b, 404c, 404d. The UE <NUM> may also transmit a beamformed signal to the base station <NUM> in one or more of the directions 404a-404d. The base station <NUM> may receive the beamformed signal from the UE <NUM> in one or more of the receive directions 402a-<NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example slot structure comprising DL centric slots and UL centric slots, which may be employed in <NUM>/NR wireless communication. In <NUM>/NR, a slot may have, e.g., a duration of <NUM>, <NUM>, etc., and each slot may have <NUM> or <NUM> symbols. A resource grid may be used to represent the time slots, each time slot including one or more time concurrent resource blocks (RBs) (also referred to as physical RBs (PRBs)). The resource blocks for the resource grid may be further divided into multiple resource elements (REs).

A slot may be DL only or UL only, and may also be DL centric or UL centric. <FIG> illustrates an example DL centric slot. The DL centric slot may comprise a DL control region <NUM>, e.g., in which in which physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) is transmitted. Some of the REs of the DL centric slot may carry DL reference (pilot) signals (DL-RS) for channel estimation at the UE. The DL-RS may include cell-specific reference signals (CRS) (also sometimes called common RS), UE-specific reference signals (UE-RS), and channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS).

A DL control region <NUM>, <NUM> may span one or a few OFDM symbols, e.g., at the beginning of the slot. The DL control region <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise multiple subbands, e.g., 520a-j illustrated for DL control region <NUM>. The subbands may also be referred to as a resource set. Thus, each subband 520a-j may comprise a resource set that spans only a portion of the bandwidth of the control region <NUM> rather than the entire bandwidth of the control region. <FIG> illustrates the control region <NUM> having <NUM> subbands, e.g., <NUM> resource sets. This is only an example, and any number of subbands/resource sets may be comprised in the control region. Additionally, <FIG> illustrates the subbands/resource sets 520a-j having a similar size. However, in other examples, the sizes, in frequency, of the subbands/resource sets 520a-j may be different for different subbands/resource sets. DL control region <NUM> may similarly comprise multiple subbands/resource sets. The subbands/resource sets for DL control region <NUM> of a DL centric slot may be the same as for DL control region <NUM> of an UL centric slot. In another example, the subbands/resource sets may be different between the DL centric slot and the UL centric slot.

The separation of the control region <NUM>, <NUM> into subbands/resource sets enables a UE to monitor only a few resource sets/subbands rather than monitoring the entire bandwidth of the control region <NUM>, <NUM>. This provides power savings at the UE by allowing the UE to receive control information while monitoring a reduced bandwidth.

A base station may use the resource sets of the control region <NUM>, <NUM> to transmit common control transmissions from the base station. For example, the base station may broadcast a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) that is cell specific and applies to multiple UEs. The PBCH may carry a master information block (MIB). The MIB may carry information such as the number of RBs in the DL system bandwidth and a system frame number (SFN). A base station may also use the resource sets of the control region <NUM>, <NUM> to transmit UE specific control signaling, e.g., via RRC, etc. The signaling may be specific to a single UE. Other UEs might not be aware of the resources used to transmit UE specific control signaling. Thus, the resource sets may comprise at least one common resource set, e.g., subband, used for common control transmissions and possibly one or more UE specific resource set, e.g., subband, used for UE specific control transmissions.

At times, only a portion of the subbands/resource sets 520a-j might be used for control transmissions. Aspects presented herein improve the efficient utilization of resources by enabling data transmission in unused resources of the DL control region <NUM>, <NUM>.

The DL centric slot may comprise a DL data region <NUM>, e.g., in which a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) carries user data, broadcast system information not transmitted through the PBCH such as system information blocks (SIBs), and paging messages.

The DL centric slot may also comprise a common UL burst region (ULCB) <NUM> in which UEs may send UL control channel information or other time sensitive or otherwise critical UL transmissions. This ULCB region may also be referred to as an UL control region <NUM>.

The UL control region <NUM> of the DL centric slot, and similarly, the UL control region <NUM> of the UL centric slot may be subdivided into subbands/resource sets 522a-522j. <FIG> illustrates the UL control region <NUM>, <NUM> having <NUM> subbands/resource sets. This is only an example, and any number of subbands/resource sets may be comprised in the control region. Additionally, <FIG> illustrates the subbands/resource sets 522a-j having a similar size. However, in other examples, different subbands/resource sets 522a-j may have different bandwidths. The subbands/resource sets for UL control region <NUM> of a DL centric slot may be the same as for UL control region <NUM> of an UL centric slot. In another example, the subbands may be different between the UL centric slot and the DL centric slot. Additionally, in <FIG>, the subbands/resource sets for the DL control regions <NUM>, <NUM> and the UL control regions <NUM>, <NUM>, are illustrated as having the same subbands. In other examples, different subbands/resource sets may be provided for DL control regions <NUM>, <NUM> than are provided for the UL control regions <NUM>, <NUM>.

A UE may transmit physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), sounding reference signals (SRS), physical random access channel (PRACH), etc. in the UL control regions <NUM>, <NUM>. The PRACH may be included within one or more slots within a slot structure based on the PRACH configuration. The PRACH allows the UE to perform initial system access and achieve UL synchronization. The UL control region <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise a PUCCH that carries uplink control information (UCI), such as scheduling requests, a channel quality indicator (CQI), a precoding matrix indicator (PMI), a rank indicator (RI), and HARQ ACK/NACK feedback.

At times, only a portion of the subbands 522a-j might be used for control transmissions. Aspects presented herein improve the efficient utilization of resources by enabling data transmission in unused resources of the UL control region <NUM>, <NUM>.

Similar to the DL centric slot, the UL centric slot may comprise a DL control region <NUM>, e.g., for PDCCH transmissions. The DL control region <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise a limited number of symbols at the beginning of a slot. The UL centric slot may comprise an UL data region <NUM>, e.g., for the transmission of a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) that carries data, and may additionally be used to carry a buffer status report (BSR), a power headroom report (PHR), and/or UCI. The UL data region <NUM> may be referred to as a UL regular burst (ULRB) region.

The UL centric slot may comprise a guard band between the UL data region <NUM> and the ULCB <NUM>. For example, the guard band may be based on the base station's capabilities and used to reduce interference when the UL data region <NUM> and the ULCB have different numerologies (symbol periods, slot lengths, etc.). The DL control region <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise a limited number of symbols at the beginning of a slot and the ULCB region may comprise one or two symbols at the end of the slot, for both the DL centric and the UL centric slots. Resource management of PUSCH or PUCCH transmissions in the ULRB may be similar to that PUSCH or PUCCH for LTE. However, where LTE may be primarily driven by a SC-FDM waveform, <NUM>/NR may be based on an SC-FDM or OFDM waveform in the ULRB <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example diagram <NUM> of a call flow between a UE <NUM> and a base station <NUM>, e.g., in <NUM>/NR. Resources for communication, e.g., a slot as described in connection with <FIG>,may be separated into a control region and a data region. Therefore, the base station <NUM> may transmit a control transmission to UE <NUM> in the control region at <NUM> and may transmit a data transmission in a data transmission at <NUM>. In <NUM>/NR the Control Region, e.g., spanning first few OFDM symbols, may be split into sub-bands called resource sets. The UE may monitor only a few resource sets instead of the entire BW. Thus, if only a few control resource sets are utilized for PDCCH transmission, the control region may have empty resource elements that could be instead used for a data transmission, e.g., PDSCH. Similarly, resource sets in an UL control portion of a slot may be unused for PUCCH, and may be used instead for PUSCH. In <FIG>, base station <NUM> transmits a data transmission to UE <NUM> in a control region at <NUM>. However, performance may be impacted when data such as PDSCH is transmitted in the control region. For example, using a same MCS for data transmitted in the control as for data transmitted in a data region may impact performance. Additionally, due to analog BF constraints, a UE might be forced to use a control beam to receive the data, which may lead to performance loss. Furthermore, an interference profile in the control region, e.g., the first few OFDM symbols, may be different from an interference profile in a data region. Therefore, there is a need to improve data transmission, e.g., PDSCH performance, when data is transmitted in a control region of a slot.

In order to avoid performance loss, a base station may adjust the data transmission in the control region in comparison to data that the base station transmits in a data region. For example, the base station may transmit PDSCH in a control region using a different MCS and/or a different rank than the base station uses for PDSCH transmitted in a data region. According to the claimed invention, the adjusted MCS/rank comprises a reduced MCS/rank in comparison to the MCS/rank for data transmitted in a data region. The PDSCH transmission may also be transmitted at a higher power in the control region than in the data region. Therefore, a TPR ratio may also be signaled to the UE, at <NUM>, in order to assist the UE in receiving the PDSCH. However, the base station may also use a higher MCS, in another example. A different MCS may include a different modulation, e.g., 16QAM for a data transmission in a control region rather than the <NUM> QZM used for a data transmission in a data region. A different MCS may also include a different coding rate, e.g., a coding rate of ½ code for a data transmission in a control region rather than the <NUM>/<NUM> coding rate used for a data transmission in a data region. In another example, Codebooks for the control region may have a different coding rate compared to coding books for the data region. These adjustments are merely examples of the adjustments that may be made to the MCS/rank. The base station may signal to a UE the adjustment for the data transmission in the control region in order to assist the UE in performing rate matching or demodulation of the data transmission in the control region. The base station may also indicate to the UE that no data is transmitted in resources of the control region, e.g., at <NUM>. Various information may be indicated to the UE <NUM>, e.g., any of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc. The base station may signal an indication/information to the UE via RRC, a MAC CE, dynamically via DCI, etc..

The UE can utilize this signaled information from the base station to perform rate matching for the data received in a control region based on the updated MCS/rank, in one example. In another example, the UE may utilize the signaled information to perform demodulation of the data transmission in the control region using the updated MCS/rank.

Although this example is described in connection with the transmission of PDSCH along with PDCCH in a control region, the aspects presented herein are also applicable to data transmissions within an uplink control region. For example, a UE may use an uplink control region to transmit PUSCH. The indications from the base station may provide information to the UE regarding the use of a different MCS/rank for the PUSCH transmission within the control region than for data transmitted in a data region. The adjustment to the MCS/rank for the PUSCH may assist the base station in receiving PUCCH and PUSCH in the uplink control region.

The UE can also report additional CQI in the control region to the base station, in addition to data region. The base station may use the additional CQI reported in the control region to determine an adjustment to the MCS/rank for the data transmission in the control region in comparison to data transmitted in the data region.

In <NUM>/NR a UE may receive a data transmission, e.g. PDSCH, on one reception beam and may receive a control transmission, e.g. PDCCH, on a different reception beam. Due to analog BF constraints, a UE might not be able to change reception beams within an OFDM symbol. According to the claimed invention, if the data transmission is transmitted in the control region, the UE chooses to use the same reception beam that the UE uses to receive the control transmission to receive the data transmission. This might not be optimal if there is no MCS reduction for the data transmission in the control region, as there may be a beam mismatch. Therefore, according to the claimed invention, the base station uses a lower MCS/rank for the data transmission in the control region compared to a data transmission in the data region. The base station may also signal the lower MCS/lower Rank, e.g., at <NUM>, or an MCS/Rank delta, e.g., at <NUM>, for the data transmission in the control region to enable UE to decode the data transmission in the control region. An MCS Delta, e.g., may indicate the difference between the MCS for a data transmission in a data region and the MCS of a data transmission in the control region. Similarly, a rank delta may indicate the difference between the rank for a data transmission in a data region and the rank of a data transmission in the control region. The benefit of signaling the MCS delta is that it may require a reduced number of bits compared to indicating an full MCS for the data transmission in the control region. The base station may similarly signal a TPR delta, e.g., at <NUM>, which may indicate a difference between a first TPR for a data transmission in the data region and a second TPR for a data transmission in the control region.

The UE may report CQI for data reception in the control region. The CQI may involve a measurement using a data reception beam in the control region and/or a measurement using a control beam in the control region. While reporting CQI, the UE can also signal its MCS/Rank delta to aid the base station in determining an MCS/rank adjustment for the data transmission in the control region. Alternately, the reduction in MCS/rank may be preconfigured whenever data is transmitted in the control region. Thus, the UE may be aware of a reduced MCS/rank that is used whenever data is transmitted in the control region, or the UE may be aware of a delta for the MCS/rank that is used whenever data is transmitted in the control region. For example, a delta number n may be preconfigured so that an MCS for a data transmission in a control region is always n less than an MCS used to transmit a data transmission in the data region.

In another <NUM>/NR example, a UE may observe a different interference profile in the control region in comparison to the interference profile in the data region. This difference in the interference profile might not be optimal for performance if there is no MCS reduction for a data transmission in the control region. Therefore, similar to the example addressing a beam mismatch, the base station may use a lower MCS/rank for the data transmission in the control region compared to a data transmission in the data region. The base station may also signal the lower MCS/lower Rank or an MCS/Rank delta for the data transmission in the control region to enable UE to decode the data transmission in the control region.

The UE may report CQI for data reception in the control region to the base station, e.g., at <NUM>, which may aid the base station in determining an MCS/rank adjustment for the data transmission in the control region. The CQI may involve a measurement using a data reception beam in the control region and/or a measurement using a control beam in the control region. While reporting CQI, the UE can also signal its MCS/Rank delta to aid the base station in determining an MCS/rank adjustment for the data transmission in the control region. Alternately, the reduction in MCS/rank may be preconfigured whenever data is transmitted in the control region. Thus, the UE may be aware of a reduced MCS/rank that is used whenever data is transmitted in the control region, or the UE may be aware of a delta for the MCS/rank that is used whenever data is transmitted in the control region. For example, a delta number n may be preconfigured so that an MCS for a data transmission in a control region is always n less than an MCS used to transmit a data transmission in the data region.

Control regions may differ for different UEs served by the base station. For example, a first UE may have a first OFDM symbol as a control region, whereas a second UE may have both a first OFDM symbol and a second OFDM symbol for its control region. The MCS for a data transmission to the first UE may be reduced in the second OFDM symbol, even though it is not the control region for the first UE, because it is the control region for the second UE. Therefore, a control region may span all symbols that are configured as a control region for any one of a group of UEs. A span of a control region may be referred to herein as a control span. The base station may indicate a control span for a group of UEs to a first UE, e.g., at <NUM>. The base station may also provide information regarding an MCS/rank adjustment for data transmissions within the control span. Then, the first UE may use the information to receive data transmissions within the control span, even when the data transmission is within a data region for the UE.

In another example, the UE may be aware of an adjusted MCS/rank for data transmissions within a control region/control span. <FIG> illustrates an example signal flow diagram <NUM> between UE <NUM> and base station <NUM>. The UE may use the indication regarding the control span at <NUM> to determine when to apply an adjusted MCS/rank for a data transmission. For example, the MCS/rank reduction may comprise a predefined parameter. The UE may determine at <NUM>, whether the data transmission overlaps the control span. The UE may receive the data transmission at <NUM>. When the UE determines that the data transmission overlaps the control span, the UE may apply the known MCS/rank reduction to receive the data transmission at <NUM>. When the UE determines that the data transmission does not overlap the control span, the UE may use the regular MCS/rank to receive the data transmission at <NUM>.

In another example, signaling may be used to enable different MCS operations including a special case where no data is transmitted in the control region. Thus, the base station may indicate to the UE that resources in the control region do not include data. In the example where the UE may is aware of an adjusted MCS/rank for data transmissions within a control region/control span, the base station may indicate to the UE when there will not be any data transmissions within a control region.

In another example, the UE may determine a starting symbol of a data transmission to determine whether the starting symbol is within a control region/control span. The determination may be based on signaling of a starting symbol from the base station, e.g., at <NUM>. For example, the base station may signal a starting symbol for a data transmission to the UE via DCI signaling. When the UE determines that the starting symbol is within the control region/control span, the UE may apply a reduced MCS/rank to receive the data transmission. The reduced MCS/rank may be preconfigured or otherwise known by the UE or may be indicated to the UE by the base station.

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a UE (e.g., the UE <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> the apparatus <NUM>/<NUM>') communicating wirelessly with a base station (e.g., the base station <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the apparatus <NUM>, <NUM>'). At <NUM>, the UE receives communication from a base station in a control region and a data region, e.g., a control region and a data region of a slot. The UE may also transmit communication to the base station in the control region and the data region. At <NUM>, the UE receives an indication from the base station regarding a data transmission in the control region. The data transmission in the control region overlaps a control transmission in time, and the indication indicates a different MCS and/or a different rank for the data transmission in the control region than for a data transmission in the data region. The indication may relate to a data transmission from the base station, e.g., PDSCH, or may relate to a data transmission from the UE, e.g., PUSCH. The indication may comprise a different MCS or a different rank for the data transmission in the control region, as described in connection with <NUM> in <FIG>. For example, the indication may comprise a reduced MCS/reduced rank than the MCS/rank for a data transmission in the data region. The indication may comprise an MCS difference, e.g., an MCS delta, for the data transmission in the control region in comparison to a second MCS for a second data transmission in the data region, as described in connection with <NUM> in <FIG>. The indication may comprise a rank difference, e.g., a rank delta, for the data transmission in the control region in comparison to a second rank for a second data transmission in the data region, as described in connection with <NUM> in <FIG>. The indication may indicate that there is no data transmission in the control region. Thus, the base station may indicate, e.g., in a downlink control message, that resources in the control region do not include PDSCH The indication may comprise a control span for a group of multiple UEs, wherein the control span comprises resources configured as the control region for any of the multiple UEs in the group, as described in connection with <NUM> in <FIG>. The UE may then use a reduced MCS parameter or a reduced rank parameter for the control span. The indication may be received as at least one of RRC signaling, a MAC control element, or DCI.

At <NUM>, the UE may report a CQI for receiving data in the control region. The base station may use the CQI report to determine an adjusted MCS/rank for the data transmission in the control region.

At <NUM>, the UE may perform rate matching for the data transmission in the control region using an updated MCS/updated rank based on the indication.

At <NUM>, the UE may perform demodulation of the data transmission in the control region using an updated MCS/updated rank based on the indication.

The UE may receive a control transmission on a first reception beam and receives a second data transmission in the data region on a second reception beam. In this example, at <NUM>, the UE may receive the data transmission in the control region on the first reception beam.

The indication may comprise a starting symbol for the data transmission, e.g., as described in connection with <NUM> in <FIG>. In this example, the UE may determine whether the starting symbol is within the control region at <NUM>. The UE may then use a reduced MCS or a reduced rank to receive the data transmission at <NUM>, when the starting symbol is within the control region and may use a second MCS for data transmission in the data region at <NUM>, when the starting symbol is within the data region.

<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 (e.g., the UE <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) communicating wirelessly with a base station <NUM> (e.g., the base station <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the apparatus <NUM>, <NUM>'). The apparatus includes a reception component <NUM> that receives DL communication from base station <NUM>, including communication in a control region and a data region of a slot, and a transmission component <NUM> that transmits UL communication to the base station <NUM>.

The apparatus may include an indication component <NUM> that receives an indication from the base station <NUM> regarding a data transmission in the control region, as described in connection with <NUM> in <FIG>. The indication may comprise a reduced MCS or a reduced rank for the data transmission in the control region, as described in connection with <NUM> in <FIG>. The indication may comprise an MCS delta for the data transmission in the control region in comparison to a second MCS for a second data transmission in the data region, as described in connection with <NUM> in <FIG>. The indication may comprise a rank delta for the data transmission in the control region in comparison to a second rank for a second data transmission in the data region, as described in connection with <NUM> in <FIG>. The indication may indicate that there is no data transmission in the control region. The indication may comprise a control span for a group of multiple UEs, wherein the control span comprises resources configured as the control region for any of the multiple UEs in the group, as described in connection with <NUM> in <FIG>. The UE may then use a reduced MCS parameter or a reduced rank parameter for the control span. The indication may be received as at least one of RRC signaling, a MAC control element, or DCI.

The apparatus may comprise a CQI component <NUM> configured to report a channel quality indication for receiving data in the control region to the base station <NUM>.

The apparatus may comprise a reception beam component <NUM> configured to determine a reception beam to be used for receiving a data transmission, e.g., a data transmission in a control region. The determination may be based on information from the indication component <NUM>. For example, the UE may receive a control transmission on a first reception beam (e.g., a control reception beam) and may receive a second data transmission in the data region on a second reception beam. While data transmissions may typically be received using a different, data reception beam, the beam reception component may determine to receive the data transmission in the control region on the first reception beam (e.g., the control reception beam).

The apparatus may include an MCS/rank component <NUM> configured to determine an MCS or rank for receiving a data transmission. The determination may be based on whether the data transmission is received in a control region, which may include determining a control span and determining whether the data transmission starts within the control span. The determination may be further based on information received from the base station in the indication, including, a lower MCS, a lower rank, an MCS Δ, a rank Δ, etc..

The apparatus may include a rate matching component <NUM> configured to performing rate matching for the data transmission in the control region, e.g., using an updated MCS/rank based on the indication. The apparatus may include a demodulation component <NUM> configured to perform demodulation of the data transmission in the control region using an updated MCS/rank based on the indication.

In one example, the indication received indicates a starting symbol for the data transmission. Thus, the apparatus may include a starting symbol component <NUM> configured to determine whether the starting symbol is within the control region. The rate matching component <NUM> and/or the demodulation component <NUM> may be configured to use a reduced MCS/rank to receive the data transmission, when the starting symbol is within the control region and/or to use a second MCS for data transmission in the data region, when the starting symbol is within the data region.

The apparatus may include additional components that perform each of the blocks of the algorithm in the aforementioned flowcharts of <FIG>, <FIG>, or <FIG>. As such, each block in the aforementioned flowcharts of <FIG>, <FIG>, or <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>, <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>, <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 includes means for receiving communication from a base station in a control region and a data region of a slot (e.g., <NUM>), means for receiving an indication from the base station regarding a data transmission in the control region (e.g., <NUM>), means for reporting a CQI for receiving data in the control region (e.g., <NUM>), means for performing rate matching (e.g., <NUM>), means for performing demodulation of the data transmission (e.g., <NUM>), means for receiving the data transmission in the control region on a control reception beam (<NUM>, <NUM>), and means for determining whether a starting symbol is within a control region (e.g., <NUM>).

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a base station (e.g., the base station <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the apparatus <NUM>, <NUM>') communicating wirelessly with a UE (e.g., the UE <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> the apparatus <NUM>/<NUM>'). At <NUM>, the base station transmits communication to the UE in a control region and a data region, e.g., of a slot.

At <NUM>, the base station transmits an indication to the UE regarding a data transmission in the control region. The data transmission in the control region overlaps a control transmission in time, and the indication indicates a different MCS and/or a different rank for the data transmission in the control region than for a data transmission in the data region. The indication may relate to a data transmission from the base station, e.g., PDSCH, or may relate to a data transmission from the UE, e.g., PUSCH. The indication may indicate a different MCS or a different rank for the data transmission in the control region. For example, the different MCS/rank may be a reduced MCS/rank. The indication may indicate an MCS difference, e.g., an MCS delta, for the MCS for the data transmission in the control region in comparison to a second MCS for a second data transmission in the data region, as described in connection with <NUM> in <FIG>. The indication may indicate a rank difference, e.g., a rank delta, for the data transmission in the control region in comparison to a second rank for a second data transmission in the data region, as described in connection with <NUM> in <FIG>. The indication may indicate that there is no data transmission in the control region. The indication may indicate a control span for a group of multiple UEs, wherein the control span comprises resources configured as the control region for any of the multiple UEs in the group, e.g., as described in connection with <NUM> in <FIG>. The indication may indicate a starting symbol for the data transmission, e.g., as described in connection with <NUM> in <FIG>. The indication may be transmitted as at least one of RRC signaling, a MAC control element, or DCI. The indication may provide information to the UE for at least one of rate matching for the data transmission in the control region using an updated MCS and demodulation of the data transmission in the control region using the updated MCS.

The base station may optionally receive a channel quality indication for receiving data in the control region from the UE at <NUM>, and may determine a reduced MCS or a reduced rank for the data transmission in the control region at <NUM> based on the received channel quality indicator.

While the transmission at <NUM> may occur after the indication is transmitted at <NUM>, at <NUM>, the base station may transmit a data transmission to the UE in the control region of the slot according to the indication at <NUM>.

<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 (e.g., the base station <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) communicating wirelessly with a UE <NUM> (e.g., the UE <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the apparatus <NUM>/<NUM>'). The apparatus includes a reception component <NUM> that receive UL communication from the UE <NUM>, and a transmission component <NUM> that transmits DL communication to the UE <NUM>, including communication in a control region and a data region of a slot. The apparatus may include an indication component <NUM> configured to transmit an indication to the UE regarding a data transmission in the control region. The indication may comprise any of the information described in connection with <NUM> of <FIG>. The apparatus may include a CQI component <NUM> configured to receive receiving a channel quality indication for receiving data in the control region from the UE. The apparatus may include an MCS/rank component <NUM> configured to determine a reduced MCS or a reduced rank for a data transmission in the control region of the slot. The determination may be based on the received channel quality indicator.

According to the claimed embodiment, the transmission component <NUM> is configured to transmit a data transmission to the UE <NUM> in a control region of a slot using a reduced MCS or a reduced rank, e.g., as determined in connection with any of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

<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 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 includes means for transmitting communication to a UE in a control region and a data region of a slot (e.g., <NUM>), means for transmitting an indication to the UE regarding a data transmission in the control region (e.g., <NUM>), means for transmitting a data transmission in the control region of the slot (e.g., <NUM>), e.g., using a reduced MCS or a reduced rank , means for receiving a channel quality indication for receiving data in the control region from the UE (e.g., <NUM>), and means for determining a reduced modulation and coding scheme (MCS) or a reduced rank for the data transmission in the control region based on the received channel quality indicator (e.g., <NUM>).

Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless specifically so stated, but rather "one or more. " The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term "some" refers to one or more. Combinations such as "at least one of A, B, or C," "one or more of A, B, or C," "at least one of A, B, and C," "one or more of A, B, and C," and "A, B, C, or any combination thereof" include any combination of A, B, and/or C, and may include multiples of A, multiples of B, or multiples of C. Specifically, combinations such as "at least one of A, B, or C," "one or more of A, B, or C," "at least one of A, B, and C," "one or more of A, B, and C," and "A, B, C, or any combination thereof" may be A only, B only, C only, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C, where any such combinations may contain one or more member or members of A, B, or C. The words "module," "mechanism," "element," "device," and the like may not be a substitute for the word "means. " As such, no claim element is to be construed as a means plus function unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase "means for.

In the following, further examples are described to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

In a first further example, a method of wireless communication at a user equipment (UE) is described, the method comprising: receiving communication from a base station in a control region and a data region of a slot and receiving an indication from the base station regarding a data transmission in the control region, wherein the data transmission in the control region overlaps a control transmission in time, and wherein the indication indicates a different modulation and coding scheme (MCS) or a different rank for the data transmission in the control region. Furthermore, the method may comprise that the indication indicates a reduced MCS or a reduced rank for the data transmission in the control region, or that the indication indicates an MCS difference for the MCS for the data transmission in the control region in comparison to a second MCS for a second data transmission in the data region, or that the indication indicates a Traffic-to-pilot Ratio (TPR) difference for a first TPR for the data transmission in the control region and a second TPR for a second data transmission in the data region, or that the indication indicates a rank difference for the data transmission in the control region in comparison to a second rank for a second data transmission in the data region. Also, the method may comprise reporting a channel quality indication for receiving data in the control region. Further, the method may comprise performing rate matching for the data transmission in the control region using an updated MCS or rank based on the indication. Also, the method may comprise performing demodulation of the data transmission in the control region using an updated MCS or rank based on the indication. In addition, the method may comprise that the indication is received as at least one of Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, a Medium Access Control (MAC) control element, or downlink control information (DCI). Also, the method may comprise that the UE receives a control transmission on a first reception beam and receives a second data transmission in the data region on a second reception beam, wherein the method further comprises receiving the data transmission in the control region on the first reception beam. Also, the method may comprise that the indication indicates that there is no data transmission in the control region. Also, the method may comprise that the indication indicates a control span for a group of multiple UEs, wherein the control span comprises resources configured as the control region for any of the multiple UEs in the group of multiple UEs. In the latter case, the method may comprise that the UE uses a reduced modulation and coding scheme (MCS) parameter or a reduced rank parameter for the control span. Also, the method may comprise that the indication indicates a starting symbol for the data transmission, and wherein the method further comprises determining whether the starting symbol is within the control region, using a reduced modulation and coding scheme (MCS) or a reduced rank to receive the data transmission, when the starting symbol is within the control region and using a second MCS for data transmission in the data region, when the starting symbol is within the data region.

In a second further example, an apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE) is described, the apparatus comprising: a memory and at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to receive communication from a base station in a control region and a data region of a slot and receive an indication from the base station regarding a data transmission in the control region, wherein the data transmission in the control region overlaps a control transmission in time, and wherein the indication indicates a different modulation and coding scheme (MCS) or a different rank for the data transmission in the control region. Further, the apparatus may comprise that the at least one processor is further configured to report a channel quality indication for receiving data in the control region, or that the at least one processor is further configured to perform rate matching for the data transmission in the control region using an updated MCS or rank based on the indication, or that the at least one processor is further configured to perform demodulation of the data transmission in the control region using an updated MCS or rank based on the indication. Also, the apparatus may receive a control transmission on a first reception beam and may receive a second data transmission in the data region on a second reception beam, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive the data transmission in the control region on the first reception beam. Further, the apparatus may comprise that the indication indicates a starting symbol for the data transmission, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determining whether the starting symbol is within the control region, using a reduced MCS or a reduced rank to receive the data transmission, when the starting symbol is within the control region and using a second MCS for data transmission in the data region, when the starting symbol is within the data region.

In a third further example, a method of wireless communication at a base station is described, the method comprising transmitting communication to a user equipment (UE) in a control region and a data region of a slot and transmitting an indication to the UE regarding a data transmission in the control region, wherein the data transmission in the control region overlaps a control transmission in time, and wherein the indication indicates a different modulation and coding scheme (MCS) or a different rank for the data transmission in the control region. Also, the method may comprise that the indication indicates a reduced MCS or a reduced rank for the data transmission in the control region, or that the indication indicates an MCS difference for the MCS for the data transmission in the control region in comparison to a second MCS for a second data transmission in the data region, or that the indication indicates a Transmission Power Ratio (TPR) difference between a first TPR for the data transmission in the control region and a second TPR for a second data transmission in the data region, or that the indication indicates a rank difference for the data transmission in the control region in comparison to a second rank for a second data transmission in the data region. Further, the method may comprise receiving a channel quality indication for receiving data in the control region from the UE and determining a reduced MCS or a reduced rank for the data transmission in the control region based on the received channel quality indicator. Also, the method may comprise that the indication provides information to the UE for at least one of rate matching for the data transmission in the control region using an updated MCS and demodulation of the data transmission in the control region using the updated MCS. In addition, the method may comprise that the indication is transmitted as at least one of Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, a Medium Access Control (MAC) control element, or downlink control information (DCI). Further, the method may comprise that the indication indicates that there is no data transmission in the control region, that the indication indicates a control span for a group of multiple UEs, wherein the control span comprises resources configured as the control region for any of the multiple UEs in the group of multiple UEs, or that the indication indicates a starting symbol for the data transmission.

Claim 1:
A method of wireless communication at a user equipment, UE (<NUM>, <NUM>), comprising:
receiving a control transmission from a base station, BS (<NUM>, <NUM>), in a control region (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of a slot, wherein the UE (<NUM>, <NUM>) receives the control transmission using a first reception beam; and
receiving a data transmission from the base station, BS (<NUM>, <NUM>), using a reception beam based on whether the data transmission is received in the control region (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the slot or a data region (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the slot, wherein the UE (<NUM>, <NUM>) receives the data transmission using the first reception beam and using a reduced modulation and coding scheme, MCS, or a reduced rank, in comparison to the MCS or rank for data transmitted in a data region, when the data transmission is in the control region (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the slot and using a second reception beam when the data transmission is in the data region (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the slot.