Patent Description:
Some wireless operators may have spectrum allocations that are not multiples of <NUM> (e.g. spectrum allocations of <NUM>, <NUM>, etc.), and in some cases not even multiples of <NUM> (e.g. spectrum allocations of <NUM>, etc.). This may be due to the wireless operators' use of older systems, such as GSM, that are narrowband based. As such, the spectrum may have been assigned to wireless operators in small allotments over time. Wireless operators want to maximize use of all of their available spectrum, since their spectrum is their most important asset. However, in <NUM> NR, the channel bandwidths are currently defined as being multiples of <NUM> (e.g. <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc.). While defining the channel bandwidth for all of the possible spectrum allocations, such as <NUM> increments or smaller, may assist these wireless operators by increasing the number of channel bandwidths (<NUM>, <NUM>, etc.), such practice may increase the complexity of channel bandwidth testing and/or may be too difficult to support the numerous channel bandwidth possibilities.

To provide a more efficient use of the available spectrum, aspects presented herein allow a base station to configure narrow channels or separate channel bandwidths or bandwidth parts (BWP) that are less than <NUM>, such as with <NUM> or <NUM> resource block (RB) (e.g. <NUM>) granularity. These narrow channels may be combined with channels of a defined channel bandwidth (e.g. a bandwidth having a multiple of <NUM>) using carrier aggregation techniques in order to address any possible channel bandwidth used by wireless operators. For example, channels having a <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or other undefined bandwidth may be operated using carrier aggregation by combining a channel having a defined bandwidth (e.g. a multiple of <NUM>) with one or more narrow channels (e.g. <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc.). The channel having the defined bandwidth may be used for communication between the base station and a user equipment (UE) in a primary cell (Pcell), and the narrow channel(s) may be used for communication between the base station and the UE in one or more secondary cells (Scell). In this way, channels of irregular size with respect to a defined channel bandwidth may be supported without requiring all possible spectrum allocations to be individually defined. Moreover, the UE may refrain from performing radio resource management (RRM) measurements for these narrow channels and instead use RRM measurements from the aggregated wider channel.

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a UE. The apparatus receives, from a base station, a configuration for carrier aggregation for a primary cell (PCell) and one or more secondary cells (SCells), where a total bandwidth of the PCell and the one or more SCells is not a defined bandwidth multiple. The apparatus communicates with the base station through the PCell and the one or more SCells.

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a base station. The apparatus transmits, to a UE, a configuration for carrier aggregation for a PCell and one or more SCells, where a total bandwidth of the PCell and the one or more SCells is not a defined bandwidth multiple. The apparatus communicates with the UE through the PCell and the one or more SCells.

Frequency range bands include frequency range <NUM> (FR1), which includes frequency bands below <NUM>, and frequency range <NUM> (FR2), which includes frequency bands above <NUM>. Communications using the mmW / near mmW radio frequency (RF) band (e.g., <NUM> - <NUM>) has extremely high path loss and a short range. Base stations / UEs may operate within one or more frequency range bands.

Referring again to <FIG>, in certain aspects, the UE <NUM> may be configured to utilize carrier aggregation to communicate using channels of irregular size in order to efficiently use the available spectrum. For example, the UE <NUM> of <FIG> may include a configuration component <NUM> configured to receive, from a base station, a configuration for carrier aggregation for a primary cell (PCell) and one or more secondary cells (SCells), where a total bandwidth of the PCell and the one or more SCells is not a defined bandwidth multiple. The UE <NUM> may perform radio resource management (RRM) measurements associated with the PCell, where communication through the one or more SCells may be based on the RRM measurements. The configuration component <NUM> may also be configured to communicate with the base station through the PCell and the one or more SCells. In other aspects, the base station <NUM>/<NUM> of <FIG> may include a configuration component <NUM> configured to transmit, to the UE, a configuration for carrier aggregation for PCell and one or more SCells, where a total bandwidth of the PCell and the one or more SCells is not a defined bandwidth multiple. The configuration component <NUM> may also be configured to communicate with the UE through the PCell and the one or more SCells.

The <NUM>/NR frame structure may be frequency division duplexed (FDD) in which for a particular set of subcarriers (carrier system bandwidth), subframes within the set of subcarriers are dedicated for either DL or UL, or may be time division duplexed (TDD) in which for a particular set of subcarriers (carrier system bandwidth), subframes within the set of subcarriers are dedicated for both DL and UL. In the examples provided by <FIG>, the <NUM>/NR frame structure is assumed to be TDD, with subframe <NUM> being configured with slot format <NUM> (with mostly DL), where D is DL, U is UL, and F is flexible for use between DL/UL, and subframe <NUM> being configured with slot format <NUM> (with mostly UL).

For slot configuration <NUM>, different numerologies µ <NUM> to <NUM> allow for <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> slots, respectively, per subframe. <FIG> provide an example of slot configuration <NUM> with <NUM> symbols per slot and numerology µ=<NUM> with <NUM> slots per subframe. The slot duration is <NUM>, the subcarrier spacing is <NUM>, and the symbol duration is approximately <NUM>. Within a set of frames, there may be one or more different bandwidth parts (BWPs) (see <FIG>) that are frequency division multiplexed. Each BWP may have a particular numerology.

A PDCCH within one BWP may be referred to as a control resource set (CORESET). Additional BWPs may be located at greater and/or lower frequencies across the channel bandwidth. The physical broadcast channel (PBCH), which carries a master information block (MIB), may be logically grouped with the PSS and SSS to form a synchronization signal (SS)/PBCH block (also referred to as SS block (SSB)).

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

In wireless communications, base stations and a UE may send different notifications and paging signals to each other in order to facilitate communication. These signals can help to improve the overall communication as well as the access and control of each device within the wireless system.

Some wireless operators may have spectrum allocations that are not multiples of <NUM> (e.g. spectrum allocations of <NUM>, <NUM>, etc.), and sometimes not even multiples of <NUM> (e.g. spectrum allocations of <NUM>, etc.). This may be due to the wireless operators' use of older systems, such as GSM, that are narrowband based. As such, the spectrum may have been assigned to wireless operators in small allotments over time. Wireless operators want to maximize use of all of their available spectrum, since their spectrum is their most important asset. However, in <NUM> NR, the channel bandwidths are currently defined as being multiples of <NUM>. For example, defined bandwidth multiples for <NUM> NR may include <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. Defining the channel bandwidth for all of the possible spectrum allocations, such as <NUM> increments or smaller, may increase the number of channel bandwidths, but may increase complexity and/or may be too difficult to support.

Defining narrow channel bandwidths, such as <NUM> increments, would allow for these channels to be aggregated with channels that are configured as a multiple of <NUM>. For example, a <NUM> channel may be defined by a <NUM> channel aggregated with a <NUM> channel. The <NUM> channel is a narrow channel that is less than the <NUM> channel and multiple narrow channels may be aggregated with the multiple of <NUM> channel to form various channels. For instance, a <NUM> channel may result from the aggregation of a <NUM> channel and one <NUM> narrow channel, a <NUM> channel and three <NUM> narrow channels, or a <NUM> channel and one <NUM> and <NUM> narrow channel. Similarly, a <NUM> channel may result from the aggregation of a <NUM> channel and one <NUM> narrow channel, or a <NUM> channel and two <NUM> narrow channels. Other undefined channel bandwidths that are not a multiple of <NUM> may be similarly aggregated using one or more defined channel bandwidths that are a multiple of <NUM> with one or more narrow channel bandwidths that are less than <NUM>. In this way, various channels may be supported without requiring all possible spectrum allocations to be individually defined.

Moreover, each channel bandwidth generally comes with its own definition of emissions (i.e. a spectrum emission mask (SEM)). For example, each defined bandwidth in NR (e.g. <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc.) may include defined sets of spectrum emission limits for various frequency offsets (ΔfOOB). Therefore, if a channel bandwidth was to be individually defined for all possible spectrum allocations (e.g. <NUM>, <NUM>, etc.), the SEM would have to be significantly modified to accommodate all of these possible bandwidths, which may be unwieldy and impractical. Accordingly, by defining narrow channel bandwidths (e.g. <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc.) and carrier aggregating them with the defined channel bandwidths (e.g. <NUM>, <NUM>, etc.) to arrive at the different bandwidth possibilities (e.g. <NUM>, <NUM>, etc.), less modifications of the SEM would be required. For instance, only the defined narrow bandwidths less than <NUM> would need to be added to the SEM.

In systems that utilize carrier aggregation, a UE may be configured to communicate with the network via a base station utilizing a primary cell (PCell) and a secondary cell (Scell). Carrier aggregation may allow a UE to transmit and receive data, simultaneously, on multiple component carriers from a single base station. In some aspects, the Pcell may correspond to a first base station and the Scell may correspond to a second base station. Pcells and Scells may carry very different types of traffic. A Pcell may always be activated and may be configured to have wide coverage area. For example, a Pcell (e.g., Pcell <NUM>) may be generally used for scheduling and other control procedures, as well as applications (e.g., voice) that require carriers that provide more on coverage than throughput. An Scell (e.g., Scell1 <NUM>, Scell2 <NUM>, or Scell3 <NUM>) may be activated to help offload bursts of traffic from the Pcell <NUM>, as well as be used for applications (e.g., video/data streaming) that prefer to use high bandwidth carriers. Voice and data streaming have very different traffic profiles, in terms of duration of data bursts and idle time between data bursts.

In carrier aggregation, the carriers may be aggregated in the same band or across different bands, as shown in <FIG>. The diagram <NUM> of <FIG> shows an example of carriers aggregated in the same band known as intra-band, contiguous (e.g., Pcell <NUM> and Scell1 <NUM>) or intra-band, non-contiguous (e.g., Pcell <NUM> and Scell2 <NUM>). In these arrangements, the carriers are within the same band and the aggregated carriers are either adjacent each other (e.g., intra-band contiguous, Pcell <NUM> and Scell1 <NUM>) or the carriers are not adjacent each other such that there is some frequency spacing separating the carriers (e.g., intra-band non-contiguous, Pcell <NUM> and Scell2 <NUM>). In inter-band non-contiguous, the carriers belong to different operating frequency bands. For example, a Pcell (e.g., Pcell <NUM>) may be on a sub <NUM> carrier (e.g., FR1) and an Scell (e.g., Scell3 <NUM>) may be on a high-frequency carrier (e.g., mmW, FR2). In inter-band non-contiguous, the PCell (e.g., PCell <NUM>) and the SCell (e.g., SCell3 <NUM>) may provide different coverage areas due to the PCell and SCell operating on different frequency bands, e.g., sub <NUM> carriers and mmW, respectively. In some aspects, the coverage provided by the PCell may be greater than the coverage provided by the SCell, which may be due, in part, to the different frequency bands.

In some aspects, the narrow channels may not include a synchronization signal block (SSB), and thus these channels may only be used for communication in an SCell. For example, SSBs may require at least <NUM> of bandwidth, and thus the base station may select to transmit SSBs only in wider channels (e.g. <NUM> or larger bandwidth). As a result, these narrow channels may not be used for a PCell, but may be used for SCells. In some aspects, the aggregation of the narrow channels may be intra-band contiguous, such that the UE may not have to perform mobility measurements or any radio link monitoring on the narrow channels. The narrow channels may use the measurements and the procedures defined for the <NUM> multiple channel (or wider channel). In some aspects, the narrow channels may not have sufficient space to include reference signals or synchronization signals that may be used to conduct such measurements. As such, packaging the narrow channel with the <NUM> multiple channel (e.g., wider channel) may allow for efficient use of the available spectrum, such that minimal or a reduced amount of unused spectrum occurs.

<FIG> illustrates an example communication flow <NUM> between a UE <NUM> and a base station <NUM>. The base station <NUM> may be configured to provide a cell. For example, in the context of <FIG>, the base station <NUM> may correspond to base station <NUM>/<NUM> and, accordingly, the cell may include a geographic coverage area <NUM> in which communication coverage is provided and/or small cell <NUM>' having a coverage area <NUM>'. Further, the UE <NUM> may correspond to at least UE <NUM>. In another example, in the context of <FIG>, the base station <NUM> may correspond to the base station <NUM> and the UE <NUM> may correspond to the UE <NUM>.

The base station <NUM> may transmit a carrier aggregation configuration <NUM> in order for the UE <NUM> to maximize use of the available spectrum when communicating across different serving cells (e.g., PCell and SCell). The base station <NUM> may be configured to support carrier aggregation such that the UE <NUM> may communicate with the base station <NUM> via a PCell and an SCell in accordance with the diagram <NUM> of <FIG>.

The UE <NUM> may receive, from the base station <NUM>, the carrier aggregation configuration <NUM>. The carrier aggregation configuration <NUM> may be associated with a PCell <NUM> (e.g., PCell <NUM>) and one or more SCells <NUM> (e.g., SCell1 <NUM>, SCell2 <NUM>, SCell3 <NUM>). In some aspects, the carrier aggregation configuration <NUM> may be associated with a PCell (e.g., PCell <NUM>) and an SCell (e.g., SCell1 <NUM>) that are arranged in an intra-band contiguous carrier aggregation. As such, the PCell (e.g., PCell <NUM>) and SCell (e.g., SCell1 <NUM>) may be adjacent channels. In some aspects, the PCell may include a synchronization signal block <NUM> (SSB) and at least one SCell of the one or more SCells may not include an SSB. In some aspects, at least one SCell of the one or more SCells may be configured without an SSB. Accordingly, the UE may not perform mobility measurements or any radio link monitoring on the at least one SCell, and may utilize the measurements and procedures defined for the PCell, when receiving and transmitting data on the one or more SCells. The at least one SCell may be configured in such a manner as to not have sufficient space for reference or synchronization signals associated with mobility measurements and/or radio link monitoring. The lack of such reference or synchronization signals may allow for the at least one SCell to be a narrow channel and allow for efficient usage of the available spectrum. The at least one SCell being a narrow channel may be aggregated with a wider channel (e.g., multiple of <NUM> channel) to form an irregular size channel (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or the like). Thus, the total bandwidth of the PCell and the one or more SCells may not be a multiple of <NUM> or some other defined multiple.

Upon receipt of the carrier aggregation configuration <NUM>, the UE may be configured to communicate with the base station <NUM> through the PCell <NUM> and the one or more SCells <NUM>. The PCell <NUM> may include the SSB <NUM> to establish communication with the base station <NUM>. The PCell <NUM> may also include reference signals <NUM> (RS). In some aspects, the reference signals <NUM> may be sent on the PCell and not on the at least one SCell. The UE <NUM> may receive the SSB <NUM> and RS <NUM> in a downlink communication from the base station <NUM>. The SCell <NUM> may not include an SSB or RS, as discussed above, such that the UE may use the measurements and procedures defined for the PCell <NUM> for the SCell <NUM>. In some aspects, each of the one or more SCells may not include an SSB. In some aspects, the at least one SCell may have a bandwidth less than <NUM> and contain between <NUM> RB and <NUM> RBs. In some aspects, the at least one SCell may have a bandwidth less than <NUM> and contain between <NUM> RB and <NUM> RBs. In some aspects, the at least one SCell may have a bandwidth less than or equal to <NUM> and contain between <NUM> RB and <NUM> RBs. In some aspects, the at least one SCell may have a bandwidth equal to <NUM> and contain <NUM> RB. The carrier aggregation of the PCell and the one or more SCells may allow for irregular channels (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or the like). The at least one SCell and the PCell may be contiguous in frequency, such that the at least one SCell and the PCell are adjacent channels.

In some aspects, for example at <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may be configured to perform radio resource management (RRM) measurements associated with the PCell <NUM>. The communication through the at least one SCell <NUM> may be based on the RRM measurements. In some aspects, the RRM measurements may include at least one of a channel quality indicator (CQI), a reference signal received power (RSRP), a reference signal reserved quality (RSRQ), a carrier received signal strength indicator (RSSI), a signal to noise ratio (SNR), or a signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR).

In some aspects, for example at <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may be configured to decode signals received via the PCell <NUM> and the at least one SCell <NUM> based on downlink RS (e.g. RS <NUM>). In some aspects, for example at <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may perform channel state information (CSI) measurements corresponding to the PCell. The UE <NUM> may report CSI <NUM> to the base station <NUM> in response to the CSI measurements. In some aspects, the CSI measurements may be based on the reference signal or the SSB. The base station may adjust transmissions on the PCell and the at least one SCell based on the received CSI measurements, when communicating with the UE through the PCell and the one or more SCells. In some aspects, the at least one SCell <NUM> may not include RS, such that the communication with the at least one SCell <NUM> may be based on the RS measured or received within the PCell <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a UE or a component of a UE (e.g., the UE <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; the apparatus <NUM>/<NUM>'; the processing system <NUM>, which may include the memory <NUM> and which may be the entire UE <NUM> or a component of the UE <NUM>, such as the TX processor <NUM>, the RX processor <NUM>, and/or the controller/processor <NUM>). According to various aspects, one or more of the illustrated operations of the method <NUM> may be omitted, transposed, and/or contemporaneously performed. Optional aspects are illustrated with a dashed line. The method may enable a UE to utilize carrier aggregation to communicate using channels of irregular size in order to efficiently use the available spectrum.

At <NUM>, the UE may receive, from a base station, a configuration for carrier aggregation. For example, <NUM> may be performed by configuration component <NUM> of apparatus <NUM>. For instance, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the carrier aggregation configuration <NUM> may be associated with a PCell <NUM>, <NUM> and one or more SCells <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. A total bandwidth of the PCell and the one or more SCells may not be a defined bandwidth multiple (e.g. for NR). For example, the defined bandwidth multiple may be one of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or other defined bandwidth multiples of <NUM> for NR, and the total bandwidth of the PCell and the one or more SCells may not be any of these defined bandwidths. In some aspects, at least one SCell of the one or more SCells may not include a synchronization signal block (SSB). In some aspects, each of the one or more SCells may not include an SSB. In some aspects, at least one SCell may have a bandwidth less than the defined bandwidth multiple. For example, if the defined bandwidth multiple is <NUM>, the at least one SCell may contain between <NUM> resource block (RB) and <NUM> RBs. In some aspects, at least one SCell may have a bandwidth of less than <NUM>, and contain between <NUM> RB and <NUM> RBs. In some aspects, at least one SCell may have a bandwidth of less than or equal to <NUM>, and contain between <NUM> RB and <NUM> RBs. In some aspects, at least one SCell may have a bandwidth of <NUM> and contain one resource block (RB). In some aspects, at least one SCell and the PCell may be contiguous in frequency.

At <NUM>, the UE may perform radio resource management (RRM) measurements associated with the PCell without performing additional RRM measurements for the one or more SCells. For example, <NUM> may be performed by measurement component <NUM> of apparatus <NUM>. For instance, referring to <FIG>, the UE <NUM> may perform RRM measurements associated with the PCell <NUM> at <NUM>, and the UE <NUM> may not perform mobility measurements or any radio link monitoring on the at least one SCell, instead utilizing the measurements and procedures defined for the PCell when receiving and transmitting data on the one or more SCells. The RRM measurements may include at least one of a channel quality indicator (CQI), a reference signal received power (RSRP), a reference signal reserved quality (RSRQ), a carrier received signal strength indicator (RSSI), a signal to noise ratio (SNR), or a signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR).

At <NUM>, the UE may report channel state information (CSI) to the base station. For example, <NUM> may be performed by CSI component <NUM> of apparatus <NUM>. For instance, referring to <FIG>, the UE <NUM> may send CSI measurements (e.g. CSI <NUM>) to the base station <NUM> based on downlink reference signals (e.g. RS <NUM>) received from the base station. The UE may perform CSI measurements corresponding to the PCell, for example, at <NUM>. The UE may report the CSI <NUM> to the base station in response to the CSI measurements. In some aspects, the one or more SCells may not include RS, and the communication with the one or more SCells may be based on RS measured or received within the PCell. In some aspects, the communication through at least one SCell may be based on the RRM measurements associated with the PCell.

At <NUM>, the UE may communicate with the base station. For example, <NUM> may be performed by communication component <NUM> of apparatus <NUM>. For instance, referring to <FIG>, the UE <NUM> may communicate with the base station <NUM> through the PCell <NUM> and the one or more SCells <NUM>, e.g. by receiving downlink data or control information and by transmitting uplink data or control information. Communication with the base station may include decoding data/control information from the base station (for example, at <NUM>).

<FIG> is a conceptual data flow diagram <NUM> illustrating the data flow between different means/components in an example apparatus <NUM>. The apparatus may be a UE or a component of a UE. The apparatus includes a reception component <NUM> that may be configured to receive various types of signals/messages and/or other information from other devices, including, for example, the base station <NUM>. The apparatus includes a configuration component <NUM> that may receive, from a base station, a configuration for carrier aggregation, e.g., as described in connection with <NUM> of <FIG>. The apparatus includes a measurement component <NUM> that may perform RRM measurements associated with the PCell without performing additional RRM measurements for the one or more SCells, e.g., as described in connection with <NUM> of <FIG>. The apparatus includes a CSI component <NUM> that may send CSI measurements to the base station based on the RS, e.g., as described in connection with <NUM> of <FIG>. The apparatus includes a communication component <NUM> that may communicate with the base station through the PCell and the one or more SCells, e.g., as described in connection with <NUM> of <FIG>. The apparatus includes a transmission component <NUM> that may be configured to transmit various types of signals/messages and/or other information to other devices, including, for example, the base station <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>, <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>. 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>. Alternatively, the processing system <NUM> may be the entire UE (e.g., see <NUM> of <FIG>).

In one configuration, the apparatus <NUM>/<NUM>' for wireless communication includes means for receiving, from a base station, a configuration for carrier aggregation for a primary cell PCell and one or more SCells. A total bandwidth of the PCell and the one or more Scells is not a defined bandwidth multiple. The apparatus also includes means for communicating with the base station through the PCell and the one or more SCells. In one configuration, the apparatus may further include means for performing RRM measurements associated with the PCell without performing additional RRM measurements for the one or more SCells. In one configuration, the apparatus may further include means for sending CSI measurements to the base station based on the RS signals. The communicating through the one or more SCells may be based on the RRM measurements associated with the PCell.

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a base station or a component of a base station (e.g., the base station <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; the apparatus <NUM>/<NUM>'; the processing system <NUM>, which may include the memory <NUM> and which may be the entire base station <NUM> or a component of the base station <NUM>, such as the TX processor <NUM>, the RX processor <NUM>, and/or the controller/processor <NUM>). According to various aspects, one or more of the illustrated operations of the method <NUM> may be omitted, transposed, and/or contemporaneously performed. Optional aspects are illustrated with a dashed line. The method may enable a base station to provide a carrier aggregation configuration to a UE to utilize carrier aggregation to communicate using channels of irregular size in order to efficiently use the available spectrum.

At <NUM>, the base station may transmit, to a UE, a configuration for carrier aggregation. For example, <NUM> may be performed by configuration component <NUM> of apparatus <NUM>. For instance, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the configuration <NUM> for carrier aggregation may be associated with a PCell <NUM>, <NUM> and one or more SCells <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. A total bandwidth of the PCell and the one or more Scells may not be a defined bandwidth multiple (e.g. for NR). For example, the defined bandwidth multiple may be one of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or other defined bandwidth multiples of <NUM> for NR, and the total bandwidth of the PCell and the one or more SCells may not be any of these defined bandwidths. In some aspects, the Pcell may include an SSB (e.g. SSB <NUM>) and at least one Scell of the one or more Scells may not include an SSB. In some aspects, each of the one or more Scells may not include an SSB. In some aspects, the one or more Scells and the Pcell are contiguous in frequency.

At <NUM>, the base station may send reference signals to the UE. For example, <NUM> may be performed by RS component <NUM> of apparatus <NUM>. For instance, referring to <FIG>, the base station <NUM> may send reference signals (RS <NUM>) to the UE <NUM> on the PCell <NUM> and not on the one or more SCells <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the base station may receive, from the UE, CSI measurements corresponding to the PCell. For example, <NUM> may be performed by CSI component <NUM> of apparatus <NUM>. For instance, referring to <FIG>, the base station <NUM> may receive CSI <NUM> from the UE <NUM> corresponding to the Pcell <NUM>. In some aspects, the base station may receive CSI measurements, from the UE, corresponding to the PCell based on the reference signals (e.g. RS <NUM>) or based on the SSB (e.g. SSB <NUM>).

At <NUM>, the base station may communicate with the UE through the PCell and the one or more SCells. For example, <NUM> may be performed by communication component <NUM> of apparatus <NUM>. For instance, referring to <FIG>, the base station <NUM> may communicate with the UE <NUM> through the Pcell <NUM> and the one or more Scells <NUM>, e.g., by transmitting downlink data or control information and by receiving uplink data or control information. In some aspects, the base station may communicate with the UE by adjusting transmissions on the PCell and the one or more SCells based on the received CSI measurements (e.g. CSI <NUM>).

<FIG> is a conceptual data flow diagram <NUM> illustrating the data flow between different means/components in an example apparatus <NUM>. The apparatus may be a base station or a component of a base station. The apparatus includes a reception component <NUM> that may be configured to receive various types of signals/messages and/or other information from other device, including, for example, the UE <NUM>. The apparatus includes a configuration component <NUM> that may transmit, to a UE, a configuration for carrier aggregation, e.g., as described in connection with <NUM> of <FIG>. The apparatus includes an RS component <NUM> that may send reference signals, to the UE, on the PCell and not on the one or more SCells, e.g., as described in connection with <NUM> of <FIG>. The apparatus includes a CSI component <NUM> that may receive, from the UE, CSI measurements corresponding to the PCell, e.g., as described in connection with <NUM> of <FIG>. The apparatus includes a communication component <NUM> that may communicate with the UE through the PCell and the one or more SCells, e.g., as described in connection with <NUM> of <FIG>. The apparatus includes a transmission component <NUM> that may be configured to transmit various types of signals/messages and/or other information to other devices, including, for example, the UE <NUM>.

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>. 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>. Alternatively, the processing system <NUM> may be the entire base station (e.g., see <NUM> of <FIG>).

In one configuration, the apparatus <NUM>/<NUM>' for wireless communication includes means for transmitting, to a UE, a configuration for carrier aggregation for a PCell and one or more SCells. A total bandwidth of the PCell and the one or more SCells is not a defined bandwidth multiple. The apparatus also includes means for communicating with the UE through the PCell and the one or more SCells. In one configuration, the apparatus may further include means for sending reference signals, to the UE, on the PCell and not on the one or more SCells. In one configuration, the apparatus may further include means for receiving, from the UE, CSI measurements corresponding to the PCell.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to configuring narrow channels or separate channel bandwidths or BWPs that are less than <NUM> (such as with <NUM> or <NUM> RB granularity), and using carrier aggregation techniques in order to provide an efficient use of the available spectrum to wireless operators. Channel bandwidths, in <NUM> NR, are currently defined in multiples of <NUM>. However, some wireless operators may have spectrum allocations that are not multiples of <NUM>. Wireless operators want to maximize use of all of their available spectrum, since their spectrum is their most important asset. Accordingly, separate channel bandwidths may be configured and aggregated using carrier aggregation to provide support in NR for channels of irregular size (e.g. that are not multiples of <NUM>). In some aspects, a UE may receive, from a base station, a configuration for carrier aggregation for a PCell and one or more SCells, where a total bandwidth of the PCell and the one or more SCells is not a multiple of <NUM> or other defined bandwidth. The UE may communicate with the base station through the PCell and the one or more SCells. In this way, channels of irregular size may be supported without requiring all possible spectrum allocations to be individually defined. Moreover, in some aspects, at least one Scell of the one or more Scells may not include an SSB. At least one advantage of the disclosure is that the at least one SCell not having an SSB eliminates the need for the UE to conduct any mobility measurements or radio link measurements on the at least one SCell. As such, the UE may operate on the SCell using all the procedures defined for the PCell. The at least one SCell may be aggregated with a channel that is a multiple of <NUM> to form an irregular size channel (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or the like) which may allow for efficient use of the available spectrum.

Claim 1:
A method of wireless communication of a user equipment, UE, comprising:
receiving (<NUM>), from a base station, a configuration for carrier aggregation for a primary cell, PCell, and one or more secondary cells, SCells, wherein a total bandwidth of the PCell and the one or more SCells is not a multiple of a defined bandwidth; and
communicating (<NUM>) with the base station through the PCell and the one or more SCells, wherein the communicating through the one or more SCells is based on a radio resource management, RRM, measurement associated with the PCell and is not based on any RRM measurement associated with the one or more SCells.