Patent Description:
<NUM> NR is part of a mobile broadband evolution promulgated by Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) to meet new requirements associated with latency, reliability, security, scalability (e.g., with Internet of Things (IoT)), and other requirements. Such improvements may also be applicable to other multi-access technologies and the telecommunication standards that employ such technologies.

<NUM> NR may include a short physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) and a long PUCCH. In some aspects, the duration of the long PUCCH, e.g., in the number of symbols, may vary over a wide range. Demodulation reference signal (DMRS) overhead may take up a larger percentage of the symbols for shorter durations of the long PUCCH as compared to longer durations of the long PUCCH. Accordingly, disabling intra-slot hopping may be beneficial to decrease DMRS overhead, particularly for shorter durations of the long PUCCH.

"<NPL>) relates to resource configuration of long duration UL control channel type for NR.

"<NPL> relates to uplink control channel design with long duration for NR.

Variable length uplink control channels such as a PUCCH may vary in length over a wide range, e.g., the variable length uplink control channels may have a variable number of symbols. Overhead may use a number of symbols, e.g., <NUM> symbols, per variable length uplink control channel. Accordingly, variable length uplink control channels having <NUM> symbols may only have <NUM> symbols (e.g., <NUM>% of the symbols) available for data while a long PUCCH having <NUM> symbols may have <NUM> symbols (e.g., approximately <NUM>%) available for a data. Accordingly, disabling intra-slot hopping may be beneficial to decrease overhead, particularly for shorter variable length uplink control channels. For shorter variable length uplink control channels, the benefits of intra-slot frequency hopping may not outweigh the overhead cost which may result in a low percentage of symbols available for data. Conversely, longer variable length uplink control channels, with higher percentages of symbols available for data may use intra-slot frequency hopping to, for example, increase the reliability of the PUCCH transmissions.

For example, as discussed above, <NUM> NR includes a short duration PUCCH and a long duration PUCCH. In some aspects, the duration of the long PUCCH, e.g., as measured in the number of symbols, may vary over a wide range. For example, the duration of a long PUCCH in the number of symbols, may be: <NUM> symbols, <NUM> symbols, <NUM> symbols, <NUM> symbols, <NUM> symbols, <NUM> symbols, <NUM> symbols, <NUM> symbols, <NUM> symbols, <NUM> symbols, <NUM> symbols, or some other number of symbols. DMRS overhead may take up a larger percentage of symbols for the shorter durations of the long PUCCH, e.g., as compared to the longer durations of the long PUCCH. For example, DMRS overhead may use <NUM> symbols per long PUCCH. Accordingly, a long PUCCH having <NUM> symbols may only have <NUM> symbols (e.g., <NUM>% of the symbols) available for data intended to be transmitted over the PUCCH, while a long PUCCH having <NUM> symbols may have <NUM> symbols (e.g., approximately <NUM>%) available for data intended to be transmitted over the PUCCH. Disabling intra-slot hopping may be beneficial to decrease DMRS overhead as a percentage of the number of symbols.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method of wireless communication as set out in claim <NUM>, a method of wirelesss communication as set out in claim <NUM>, an apparatus as set out in claim <NUM> and a system as set out in claim <NUM>. Other aspects of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

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

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

Referring again to <FIG>, in certain aspects, the UE <NUM> and/or base station <NUM> may each be configured to determine whether or not to use intra-slot frequency hopping for a variable length uplink control channel, and communicate information to the transmitter for transmission over the variable length uplink control channel (e.g., UE <NUM>) or receive information received by the receiver over the variable length uplink control channel (e.g., base station <NUM>), the information transmitted by the transmitter (e.g., in the UE <NUM>) or received by the receiver (e.g., in base station <NUM>) based on the determination of whether or not to use intra-slot frequency hopping (<NUM>).

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

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

As illustrated in <FIG>, some of the REs carry reference (pilot) signals (RS) for the UE (indicated as R). The RS may include demodulation RS (DM-RS) and channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS) for channel estimation at the UE.

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

As illustrated in <FIG>, some of the REs carry demodulation reference signals (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 intra-slot hopping in LTE communications system. The diagram <NUM> includes an example radio frame <NUM>. The example radio frame <NUM> includes <NUM> sub-frames numbered <NUM> to <NUM>. Each of the sub-frames may be <NUM> in length. Furthermore, the radio frame may be broken into two <NUM> portions, e.g., <NUM> sub-frames in each portion.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a subframe may be broken into a series of time/frequency blocks (e.g., resource blocks <NUM>) that may be used for transmission of information. For example, subframe <NUM> of the example radio frame <NUM> may be broken into a series of time/frequency blocks <NUM> (e.g., resource blocks <NUM>). The series of time/frequency blocks <NUM> may include two sets of between <NUM> and <NUM> RBs in some examples. A PUCCH may be assigned to one or more time/frequency blocks (resource blocks <NUM>) and may be used to transmit Physical Uplink Control Channel information. Other time/frequency blocks (resource blocks <NUM>) may also be used to transmit user data. For example, the resource blocks <NUM> that are not used to transmit a PUCCH may be used to transmit user data or other types of data, such as other control information in other control channels. (Other subframes may be similarly broken into a series of time/frequency blocks <NUM> (e.g., resource blocks <NUM>).

With intra-slot frequency hopping, a control channel, e.g., PUCCH, may frequency hop or change frequencies, within a subframe across a time slot boundary. As indicated by the arrows <NUM> between different time/frequency blocks (resource blocks <NUM>), intra-slot frequency hopping may be used in LTE (or <NUM>/NR, or other wireless standards) to provide frequency diversity. Accordingly, a PUCCH may be moved from one frequency to another frequency, e.g., hopping. In the illustrated example, multiple PUCCHs may be transmitted. Each of the multiple PUCCHs may change frequency every <NUM>. For example, for a subframe that is <NUM>, PUCCH frequency hopping may occur every <NUM> as indicated by arrows <NUM>.

When intra-slot frequency hopping is enabled, a UE may break a whole PUCCH duration, say Z symbols, into two parts where the first part includes Z1 symbols and the second part includes Z2 symbols. (For intra-slot frequency hopping, Z1+Z2 may equal a total number of symbols in the whole PUCCH, Z) The first part of PUCCH may be send on a first set of RBs. The second part of PUCCH may be send on a second set of RBs. The first set of RBs and the second set of RBs are different.

<FIG> is a diagram <NUM> illustrating an uplink centric slot <NUM> and a downlink centric slot <NUM> in <NUM> NR. The example of <FIG> is specific to a PUCCH, however, the systems and methods described herein may be applied to any variable length uplink control channel where frequency hopping may be allowed. In such an example, the frequency hopping may be turned on and off based on various circumstances such as those described herein, e.g., number of symbols available, channel conditions, need for efficiency in the use of symbols or lack thereof, or other factors that may impact the utility of frequency hopping. As illustrated in <FIG>, a downlink centric slot <NUM> may include a PDCCH, a PDSCH, a gap in time, and an uplink short PUCCH and PUSCH region. The gap in time may allow a UE time to switch from downlink to uplink or from uplink to downlink. An uplink centric slot <NUM> may also include a PDCCH, a GAP, an UL long PUCCH and PUSCH region, and an uplink short PUCCH and PUSCH region. The techniques described herein may decrease DMRS overhead, particularly for shorter durations of the long PUCCH. In some examples, both intra-slot and inter-slot frequency hopping provides "frequency diversity. " When a PUCCH in either of two sets of RBs are jammed due to another cell's interference, there is another set of RBs. A base station may try to decode a PUCCH from the other set of RBs.

In the downlink centric slot <NUM>, an area between the PDCCH and GAP may include the PDSCH <NUM>. In the uplink centric slot <NUM>, an area between the GAP and the uplink short PUCCH and a PUSCH region may include an uplink long PUCCH and PUSCH region <NUM>. In an example, the PUSCH region <NUM> may include time/frequency resources that may be used to transmit or receive symbols used for the PUCCH. The time/frequency resources in the PUSCH region <NUM> may include, for example, a long PUCCH that may have a duration of <NUM> to <NUM> symbols wide. The long PUCCH may be located anywhere within the time/frequency resources of the PUSCH region <NUM>.

In an aspect, variable length uplink control channel intra-slot frequency hopping, such as long PUCCH intra-slot hopping, may be disabled. For example, in <NUM> NR, there are long PUCCH and short PUCCH. In <NUM> NR, because the duration of a long PUCCH, e.g., in number of symbols, may have a wide range, such as, <NUM> to <NUM> symbols wide, it may be advantageous to disable intra-slot hopping for certain long PUCCH. Factors such as number of symbols available for each PUCCH, channel conditions, a need for efficiency in the use of symbols, a lack of a need for efficiency in the use of symbols, or other factors may be used to determine when hopping should be used or not used.

As discussed above, for certain scenarios, it may be beneficial to disable intra-slot hopping. For example, when a long PUCCH duration is only <NUM> symbols, a system may disable hopping to reduce DMRS overhead. Some systems may disable or enable intra-slot long PUCCH hopping based on channel conditions. For example, when one or more frequencies include a large amount of noise, enabling frequency hopping may be more advantageous. Accordingly, the factors of number of symbols available for each PUCCH, channel conditions, a need for efficiency in the use of symbols, a lack of a need for efficiency in the use of symbols, or other factors may be used to determine when to use and when not to use frequency hopping. For example, when a total number of symbols available for PUCCH is used to determine when to use or not to use frequency hopping, the threshold of total number of symbols available for PUCCH may be adjusted up or down based on a total number of symbols, e.g., the length of the PUCCH channel; channel conditions, e.g., uplink channel conditions based on uplink signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and/or downlink sounding reference signal (SRS), for example; one or more of the other factors.

In an aspect, a UE or a base station may implicitly disable or enable intra-slot long PUCCH hopping based on PUCCH duration and/or the other factors described herein. For example, a number of symbols, e.g., <NUM> to <NUM> symbols, may be selected to indicate enabling or disabling variable length uplink control channel intra-slot frequency hopping. When a variable length uplink control channel is greater than or equal to a predetermined number of symbols (e.g., one of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> symbols wide) variable length uplink control channel intra-slot frequency hopping may be used, while when the variable length uplink control channel is less than the predetermined number of symbols, may not be used. Thus, it may be advantageous to use hopping only for cases when a higher percentage of symbols are available for data transmission or data reception. (The example used <NUM> to <NUM> symbols, however, some other number of symbols may be used for communications systems having a different number of symbols in a variable length uplink control channel such as a PUCCH. ) The number of symbols selected may be variable, e.g., based on a total number of symbols, e.g., the length of the PUCCH channel; channel conditions, e.g., uplink channel conditions based on uplink signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and/or downlink sounding reference signal (SRS), for example; other factors. For example, a base station may signal the number of symbols selected, e.g., using DCI or RRC signaling.

As discussed above, the duration of a long PUCCH (or other variable length uplink control channel) in the number of symbols, may be: <NUM> to <NUM> symbols, or some other number of symbols. Overhead may take up a larger percentage of symbols for the shorter durations of the long PUCCH, e.g., as compared to the longer durations of the long PUCCH. For example, overhead may use <NUM> symbols per long PUCCH. Accordingly, a long PUCCH (or other variable length uplink control channel) having <NUM> symbols may only have <NUM> symbols (e.g., <NUM>%) available for a data intended to be transmitted over the PUCCH while a long PUCCH having <NUM> symbols may have <NUM> symbols (e.g., approximately <NUM>%) available for a data intended to be transmitted over the PUCCH. The selected number of symbols may correspond to having between <NUM>% and <NUM>% available for the transmission of data over a PUCCH (variable length uplink control channel). Disabling intra-slot hopping may be beneficial to decrease overhead, such as DMRS overhead (e.g., overhead as a percentage of the number of symbols in the PUCCH or variable length uplink control channel).

As discussed above, <NUM> NR may include a short PUCCH and a long PUCCH. In some aspects, the duration of the long PUCCH, e.g., in the number of symbols, may vary over a wide range. DMRS overhead may take up a larger percentage of the symbols for shorter durations of the long PUCCH as compared to longer durations of the long PUCCH. Accordingly, disabling intra-slot hopping may be beneficial to decrease DMRS overhead, particularly for shorter durations of the long PUCCH. For example, intra-slot frequency hopping may break a total number of symbols in a PUCCH into two parts. For example, when a PUCCH has <NUM> symbols, that PUCCH may be broken into two parts having <NUM> symbols each. One part may be sent on a first frequency and the other part may be sent on another frequency. Each part may have at least one DMRS symbol so that channel estimation may be performed on each of the two frequencies. (If only one symbol is used, e.g., in the first part, then channel estimation cannot be performed on the second part. ) When frequency hopping is not used, then a single DMRS symbol may be used for the entire PUCCH, e.g., because the PUCCH is transmitted in a single frequency. Thus, DMRS overhead may be decreased when frequency hopping is not used.

Examples of DMRS overhead are provided in Table <NUM>, below. DMRS overhead may be based on a number of DMRS symbols per total number of symbols for the PUCCH. For example, one implementation may use one DMRS symbol per PUCCH. Other examples may use other (<NUM>, <NUM>, etc.) numbers of DMRS symbols per PUCCH. For example, Table <NUM> uses two symbols. Accordingly, when the PUCCH is four, the percentage of symbols available for data transmission is <NUM>%. See Table <NUM> for additional examples.

Table <NUM>, below, provides percentages of symbols available for data transmission over a variable length uplink control channel assuming two symbols are used for overhead.

The percentage of symbols available for data transmission that is acceptable may vary from implementation to implementation. The total number of symbols selected as a threshold for enabling and disabling, for example, intra-slot PUCCH frequency hopping, may vary from, for example, <NUM> to <NUM>. Furthermore, the threshold selected may be variable based on other factors, as described herein. In other examples, the number of symbols selected may be fixed for a particular implementation. For example, in one implementation the threshold may be equal to <NUM>. In another example, the threshold may be equal to <NUM>. The number of symbols for the threshold may be selected to attain a desired percentage of symbols available for data transmission in, for example a PUCCH. Thus, for example, when a percentage such as <NUM>% is selected, for any number of slots in a PUCCH less than <NUM>, intra-slot PUCCH frequency hopping should not be used. For PUCCH having <NUM> or more symbols, intra-slot PUCCH frequency hopping may be used.

In a first aspect, the threshold may be predetermined. Accordingly, each device in such a system may use a known threshold to determine if frequency hopping is used. Thus, no signaling is needed to transmit the threshold because the threshold is already known to each device in the system. Different thresholds may be used for the short PUCCH and the long PUCCH. For example, when an available number of symbols for a long PUCCH is less than a value, X, where X is known to each device, both a UE and a base station may disable long PUCCH intra-slot hopping. The value of X in one example may be <NUM> symbols, for example. Other numbers may be used for the threshold in other examples, however. When an available number of symbols for long PUCCH is greater than or equal to a value, X, where X is known to each device, both the UE and the base station may enable long PUCCH intra-slot hopping. Similarly, when an available number of symbols for a short PUCCH is less than a value, Y, where Y is known to each device, both a UE and a base station may disable short PUCCH intra-slot hopping. The value of Y in one example may be <NUM> or <NUM> symbols, for example. Other numbers may be used for the threshold in other examples, however. When an available number of symbols for a short PUCCH is greater than or equal to a value, Y, where Y is known to each device, both the UE and the base station may enable short PUCCH intra-slot hopping. These values of X and Y may be known at a base station. The base station may make decisions based on the thresholds. The UEs may be instructed to tum frequency hopping on and off, e.g., using RRC signaling. Generally, the UE does not need to know the values of X or Y because the UE does not need to make the threshold determinations.

In a second aspect, signaling may be used to enable or disable variable intra-slot control channel frequency hopping. The signaling may be performed on some predetermined schedule in some examples. In the second aspect, base station-signaling may be used to enable or disable intra-slot long PUCCH hopping. For example, RRC signaling may be used to enable or disable intra-slot long PUCCH hopping. Unlike the first aspect above, signaling is needed in the second aspect. However, the second aspect may allow for changing the threshold used to determine whether to enable or disable intra-slot long PUCCH hopping, unlike the first aspect, which may have a fixed threshold.

In a third aspect, a dynamic signaling (signaling available with a greater frequency as compared to the signaling in the second aspect) may be used to disable or enable intra-slot control channel frequency hopping. For example, in the third aspect, a base station may use dynamic signaling to disable or enable intra-slot long PUCCH hopping. A base station may use DCI to disable or enable intra-slot long PUCCH hopping. Unlike the first aspect above, signaling is needed for the third aspect (e.g., similar to the second aspect). Accordingly, like the second aspect above, using the third aspect, it may be possible to change the threshold used to determine whether to enable or disable intra-slot long PUCCH hopping, unlike the first aspect which may have a fixed threshold. The third aspect may allow for more rapid changes to the threshold as compared to the second aspect discussed above because dynamic signaling may be performed more often or when needed as compared to signaling that may be performed only on a set schedule. The second aspect discussed above, however, may devote fewer bits to transmitting threshold information because the threshold information may be transmitted less often in the second aspect as compared to the third aspect.

<FIG> is a diagram <NUM> illustrating frequency hopping in slot aggregation. When inter-slot frequency hopping is enabled with slot aggregation, a UE may transmit a first copy of PUCCH in a first slot on a first set of RBs and a second copy of the PUCCH in a second slot on a second set of RBs where the first set of RBs and the second RBs are different. With slot aggregation multiple time slots may be combined or aggregated so that bursts sent in the aggregated time slots may share training sequence and achieve higher data efficiency through removal of some overhead fields. For example, a long PUCCH <NUM> in a first uplink centric slot <NUM> may be located at a first frequency. In the example, of <FIG>, the first frequency is located at a highest frequency within an uplink long PUCCH and PUSCH region (e.g., the uplink long PUCCH and PUSCH region <NUM> of <FIG>). The first frequency may be other frequencies, however. A long PUCCH <NUM> in a second uplink centric slot <NUM> may be located at a second frequency. In the example, of <FIG>, the second frequency is located at a lowest frequency within an uplink long PUCCH and PUSCH region (e.g., the uplink long PUCCH and PUSCH region <NUM> of <FIG>). The second frequency may be other frequencies, however.

Intra-slot hopping may include individual PUCCHs hopping between frequencies within a set of frequencies used for the PUCCHs. Inter-slot hopping may include changing sets of frequencies used for PUCCHs hopping, e.g., changing from one set of frequencies to another set of frequencies. A change in a set of frequencies may include changing as few as a single frequency in a set of frequencies to a new frequency used for the PUCCHs up to changing as many as all the frequencies in a set of frequencies to new frequencies used for the PUCCHs. In the illustrated example of <FIG>, all of the frequencies in a set of frequencies used for the PUCCHs are moved to a new set of frequencies used for PUCCHs.

In the case of slot aggregation, regardless of whether intra-slot hopping may be turned on or off, inter-slot hopping may be turned on or off independently by a base station. With inter-slot hopping, a frequency of a PUCCH may be changed within a subframe across a time slot boundary. For example, referring back to <FIG>, for inter-slot hopping, the time/frequency blocks <NUM> may be moved from subframe <NUM> and split between two subframes, e.g., the latter half of subframe <NUM> and the first half of subframe <NUM>, such that a frequency of a PUCCH may be changed within a subframe across a time slot boundary, e.g., between the first and second time slots at the border of subframe <NUM> and subframe <NUM>. For example, inter-slot hopping may be turned on or off independently by a base station. Inter-slot hopping may be turned on or off via RRC signaling or DCI dynamic signaling. For example, in an aspect, a long PUCCH may only have four symbols per slot. In an example with a long PUCCH that only has four symbols per slot, intra-slot hopping may be turned off. When intra-slot hopping is turned off, inter-slot hopping may still be turned on (or off). Inter-slot hopping may be tumed on (or off), e.g., by the base station, via RRC signaling or DCI dynamic signaling. For example, an RRC message may use one bit to signal to a UE (or UEs) that intra-slot hopping should be turned on or off. The bit may be high for on and low for off. In another example, the bit may be low for on and high for off. In yet another example, the status of the bit may toggle or not toggle intra-slot hopping on and off. In an example that used DCI dynamic signaling, For example, a DCI message may use one bit to signal to a UE (or UEs) that intra-slot hopping should be turned on or off. The bit may be high for on and low for off. In another example, the bit may be low for on and high for off. In yet another example, the status of the bit may toggle or not toggle intra-slot hopping on and off. Inter-slot hopping may be turned on (or off) to achieve frequency diversity. Other semi-static or dynamic signaling may be used to signal turning on and off intra-slot hopping.

The frequency used to transmit the longer PUCCH may vary. For example, the x-axis in <FIG> may be time and the y-axis in <FIG> may be frequency. Frequency may increase along the y-axis. For example, the long PUCCH <NUM> may be at a higher frequency as compared to the long PUCCH <NUM>. For intra-slot hopping, different PUCCHs may change frequency within each long PUCCH <NUM> and/or a long PUCCH <NUM>. For inter-slot hopping, a set of PUCCH may change frequency. For example, for inter-slot hopping, the long PUCCH may change frequency from the frequencies for the long PUCCH <NUM> to the frequencies for the long PUCCH <NUM>.

While <FIG> illustrates frequency hopping in slot aggregation for an UL centric slot, it will be understood that frequency hopping in slot aggregation may be used in a DL centric slot. For example, frequency hopping in slot aggregation may be used in a DL centric slot such as the DL centric slot <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a diagram <NUM> illustrating signal flow for an example of wireless communication system. The wireless communication may include a UE <NUM> and a base station <NUM>. The base station <NUM> may select <NUM> one of using or not using inter-slot hopping at the UE <NUM>. Inter-slot hopping is discussed with respect to <FIG>, below. The arrows <NUM> are used to illustrated examples of RB's containing PUCCH frequency hopping. In some aspects, long PUCCH may use frequency hopping. For example, <FIG> illustrated examples of frequency hopping for long PUCCH <NUM>, <NUM>.

The base station <NUM> may use one of RRC or DCI signaling <NUM> to change the state of inter-slot hopping at the UE <NUM>. For example, the base station <NUM> may use one of RRC or DCI signaling <NUM> to change from not using inter-slot hopping at the UE <NUM> to using of inter-slot hopping at the UE <NUM>. The base station <NUM> may also use one of RRC or DCI signaling <NUM> to change from using inter-slot hopping at the UE <NUM> to not using of inter-slot hopping at the UE <NUM>. For example, RRC or DCI signaling <NUM> may be used to toggle between using and not using inter-slot hopping at the UE <NUM>.

The UE <NUM> may determine whether or not to use intra-slot frequency hopping for a variable length uplink control channel <NUM>. For example, the UE <NUM> may determine whether or not to use intra-slot frequency hopping for a variable length uplink control channel <NUM> based on the RRC or DCI signaling <NUM>.

The UE <NUM> may communicate information <NUM> to the transmitter for transmission <NUM> over the variable length uplink control channel. The information <NUM> transmitted by the transmitter may be based on the determination of whether or not to use intra-slot frequency hopping.

The base station <NUM> may receive information <NUM> from the receiver. The information <NUM> may be received <NUM> by the receiver over the variable length uplink control channel based on the determination of whether or not to use intra-slot frequency hopping.

<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>). At <NUM>, the UE may use one of RRC or DCI signaling to change the state of inter-slot hopping. For example, the UE (e.g., the UE <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) may use one of RRC or DCI signaling to change the state of inter-slot hopping. As discussed above, inter-slot hopping is discussed with respect to <FIG>, below. The arrows <NUM> are used to illustrated examples of RB's containing PUCCH frequency hopping. In some aspects, long PUCCH may use frequency hopping. For example, <FIG> illustrates examples of frequency hopping for long PUCCH <NUM>, <NUM>. In an aspect, the UE may select between one of RRC signaling and DCI signaling. In an aspect, one of RRC signaling and DCI signaling may be predetermined. In an aspect, the UE <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> change the state of inter-slot hopping.

In an aspect, the UE (e.g., the UE <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) may receive RRC signaling or DCI signaling from a base station (e.g., the base station <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>). The signaling may change the state of inter-slot hopping. For example, the signaling may toggle the state of inter-slot hopping between using and not using intra-slot frequency hopping. For example, receiving the signal may cause a toggle between states. In another example, the signaling may set the state of inter-slot hopping at one of using and not using intra-slot frequency hopping. Accordingly, the state may be set by, for example, a state of a transmitted bit or bits within the signaling. Accordingly, a UE <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may receive a signal (e.g., RRC or DCI signaling) and decode the signal.

At <NUM>, the UE determines whether or not to use intra-slot frequency hopping for a variable length uplink control channel. For example, the UE (e.g., UE <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) may determine whether or not to use intra-slot frequency hopping for a variable length uplink control channel (e.g., Rx Processor <NUM>, Controller/Processor <NUM>, Tx Processor <NUM>). The determination may be based on one of RRC signaling or DCI signaling received. As discussed with respect to <NUM>, the one of RRC signaling or DCI signaling may be used to change the state of inter-slot hopping. Accordingly, a UE <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may process a decoded signal (e.g., RRC or DCI signaling) and select one of using or not using intra-slot frequency hopping based on receiving the signal.

At <NUM>, the UE makes a decision based on the determination at <NUM>. For example, the UE (e.g., UE <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) makes a decision based on the determination at <NUM>. Accordingly, the UE (e.g., UE <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) may select between <NUM> and <NUM> based on the determination at <NUM>. The UE may select a branch of the flowchart based on reading the determination at <NUM> and selecting how to communicate based on the determination.

At <NUM>, the UE communicates information to the transmitter for transmission over the variable length uplink control channel. The information transmitted by the transmitter may be based on a determination to use intra-slot frequency hopping. For example, the UE (e.g., the UE <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) communicates information to the transmitter (e.g., transmitter 354TX) for transmission over the variable length uplink control channel. The information transmitted by the transmitter (e.g., transmitter 354TX) may be based on the determination to use intra-slot frequency hopping (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>). For example, hopping may be selected and signals may be transmitted to using hopping.

At <NUM>, the UE communicates information to the transmitter for transmission over the variable length uplink control channel. The information transmitted by the transmitter may be based on the determination not to use intra-slot frequency hopping. For example, the UE (e.g., the UE <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) communicates information to the transmitter (e.g., transmitter 354TX) for transmission over the variable length uplink control channel. The information transmitted by the transmitter (e.g., transmitter 354TX) may be based on the determination o not to use intra-slot frequency hopping (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>). For example, hopping may not be selected and signals may be transmitted without using hopping.

In an aspect, the variable length uplink control channel includes a long PUCCH.

In an aspect, the transmitter may be configured to transmit the information in a slot on the variable length uplink control channel using a single frequency or intra-slot frequency hopping based on the determination of whether or not to use intra-slot frequency hopping.

In an aspect, determining whether or not to use intra-slot frequency hopping may include determining whether or not to use intra-slot frequency hopping for transmitting data on the variable length uplink control channel based on a duration of the variable length uplink control channel.

In an aspect, the variable length uplink control channel durations using intra-slot frequency hopping and the variable length uplink control channel durations not using intra-slot frequency hopping may be predetermined.

In an aspect, determining whether or not to use intra-slot frequency hopping for the variable length uplink control channel may be based on signaling to enable or disable the variable length uplink control channel hopping.

In an aspect, the signaling may include RRC signaling to enable or disable the variable length uplink control channel hopping.

In an aspect, the signaling may include DCI signaling to enable or disable the variable length uplink control channel hopping.

An aspect may further include using one of Radio Resource Control (RRC) or downlink control information (DCI) signaling to change the state of inter-slot hopping.

<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>). At <NUM>, the base station determines whether or not to use intra-slot frequency hopping for a variable length uplink control channel. For example, the base station (e.g., base station <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) determines whether or not to use intra-slot frequency hopping for a variable length uplink control channel (e.g., Rx Processor <NUM>, Controller/Processor <NUM>, Tx Processor <NUM>). For example, the base station may disable intra-slot hopping to decrease DMRS overhead, particularly for shorter durations of the long PUCCH. Alternatively, the base station may enable intra-slot hopping, particularly for longer durations of the long PUCCH. Accordingly, the based station may determine PUCCH duration and select intra-slot hopping or not select intra-slot hopping based on PUCCH duration.

As discussed above, inter-slot hopping is discussed with respect to <FIG>, below. The arrows <NUM> are used to illustrated examples of RB's containing PUCCH frequency hopping. In some aspects, long PUCCH may use frequency hopping. For example, <FIG> illustrated examples of frequency hopping for long PUCCH <NUM>, <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the base station may use one of RRC signaling or DCI signaling to change the state of inter-slot hopping. For example, the base station (e.g., the base station <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) may use one of RRC signaling or DCI signaling to change the state of inter-slot hopping. In an aspect, the base station (e.g., the base station <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) may transmit RRC signaling or DCI signaling from the base station (e.g., the base station <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to a UE the UE (e.g., UE <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>). The signaling may change the state of inter-slot hopping. For example, the signaling may toggle the state of inter-slot hopping between using and not using intra-slot frequency hopping. For example, receiving the signal may cause a toggle between states. In another example, the signaling may set the state of inter-slot hopping at one of using and not using intra-slot frequency hopping. Accordingly, the state may be set by, for example, a state of a transmitted bit or bits within the signaling. The base station may read the determine state of the inter-slot hopping and signal based on the state.

At <NUM>, the base station makes a decision based on the determination at <NUM>. For example, the base station (e.g., base station <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) makes a decision based on the determination at <NUM>. Accordingly, the base station (e.g., base station <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) may select between <NUM> and <NUM> based on the determination at <NUM>. The base station may select a branch of the flowchart based on reading the determination at <NUM> and selecting how to communicate based on the determination.

At <NUM>, the base station receives information from the receiver. The information may be received by the receiver over the variable length uplink control channel based on the determination use intra-slot frequency hopping. For example, the base station (e.g., base station <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) receives information from the receiver (e.g., receiver 318RX). The information may be received by the receiver (e.g., receiver 318RX) over the variable length uplink control channel based on the determination to use intra-slot frequency hopping. For example, hopping may be selected and signals may be received using hopping.

At <NUM>, the base station receives information from the receiver. The information may be received by the receiver over the variable length uplink control channel based on the determination not to use intra-slot frequency hopping. For example, the base station (e.g., base station <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) receives information from the receiver (e.g., receiver 318RX). The information may be received by the receiver (e.g., receiver 318RX) over the variable length uplink control channel based on the determination not to use intra-slot frequency hopping. For example, hopping may not be selected and signals may be received not using hopping.

In an aspect, the receiver may be configured to receive the information in a slot on the variable length uplink control channel using a single frequency or intra-slot frequency hopping based on the determination of whether or not to use intra-slot frequency hopping.

In an aspect, determining whether or not to use intra-slot frequency hopping may include determining whether or not to use intra-slot frequency hopping for receiving data on the variable length uplink control channel based on a duration of the variable length uplink control channel.

In a UE (e.g., UE <NUM>, <NUM>), the means for determining whether or not to use intra-slot frequency hopping for a variable length uplink control channel may include Rx Processor <NUM>, Controller/Processor <NUM>, Tx Processor <NUM>. The means for communicating information to the transmitter (e.g., transmitter 354TX) for transmission over the variable length uplink control channel, the information transmitted by the transmitter (e.g., transmitter 354TX) based on the determination of whether or not to use intra-slot frequency hopping may include Rx Processor <NUM>, Controller/Processor <NUM>, Tx Processor <NUM>. The transmitter 354TX and the antenna <NUM> may be used to transmit the communication information.

In a base station (e.g., base station <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), the means for determining whether or not to use intra-slot frequency hopping for a variable length uplink control channel may include Rx Processor <NUM>, Controller/Processor <NUM>, Tx Processor <NUM>. The means for receiving information from the receiver (e.g., receiver 318RX) may include Rx Processor <NUM>, Controller/Processor <NUM>, Tx Processor <NUM>. The information may be received by the receiver (e.g., receiver 318RX) over the variable length uplink control channel based on the determination of whether or not to use intra-slot frequency hopping. The information may be received by the receiver 318RX and the antenna <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 UE <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The apparatus includes a reception component <NUM> that receives signals <NUM> from the base station <NUM>, a determination component <NUM> that determines whether or not to use intra-slot frequency hopping for a variable length uplink control channel based on signals <NUM> from the reception component <NUM> and outputs a signal <NUM> indicating the determination, and a communication component <NUM> that communicates information <NUM> to the transmitter for transmission over the variable length uplink control channel using intra-slot frequency hopping or not using intra-slot frequency hopping based on the determination, e.g., over transmission <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> and the computer-readable medium / memory <NUM>. The bus <NUM> may also link various other circuits such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art, and therefore, will not be described any further.

The processing system <NUM> may be coupled to a transceiver <NUM>. The transceiver <NUM> is coupled to one or more antennas <NUM>. The transceiver <NUM> provides a means for communicating with various other apparatus over a transmission medium. The transceiver <NUM> receives a signal from the one or more antennas <NUM>, extracts information from the received signal, and provides the extracted information to the processing system <NUM>, specifically the reception component <NUM>. In addition, the transceiver <NUM> receives information from the processing system <NUM>, specifically the transmission component <NUM>, and based on the received information, generates a signal to be applied to the one or more antennas <NUM>. The processing system <NUM> includes a processor <NUM> coupled to a computer-readable medium / memory <NUM>. The processor <NUM> is responsible for general processing, including the execution of software stored on the computer-readable medium / memory <NUM>. The software, when executed by the processor <NUM>, causes the processing system <NUM> to perform the various functions described supra for any particular apparatus. The computer-readable medium / memory <NUM> may also be used for storing data that is manipulated by the processor <NUM> when executing software. The processing system <NUM> further includes at least one of the components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The components may be software components running in the processor <NUM>, resident/stored in the computer readable medium / memory <NUM>, one or more hardware components coupled to the processor <NUM>, or some combination thereof. The processing system <NUM> may be a component of the 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 determining whether or not to use intra-slot frequency hopping for a variable length uplink control channel, means for communicating information to the transmitter for transmission over the variable length uplink control channel, the information transmitted by the transmitter based on the determination of whether or not to use intra-slot frequency hopping, means for using one of RRC or DCI signaling to change the state of inter-slot hopping.

<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 <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The apparatus includes a reception component <NUM> that receives signals <NUM> from a UE <NUM>, a determination component <NUM> that determines whether or not to use intra-slot frequency hopping for a variable length uplink control channel based on signals <NUM> from the reception component or other signals (not shown) that may indicate a need to decrease, for example, for shorter durations of the long PUCCH, a communication component that may communicate <NUM> the determination <NUM> to a communication component <NUM> that may control a transmit component <NUM> that transmits signals <NUM>, e.g., one of RRC or DCI signaling, to a UE <NUM> to change the state of inter-slot hopping.

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>. 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 determining whether or not to use intra-slot frequency hopping for a variable length uplink control channel, means for receiving information from the receiver. The information received by the receiver may be received over the variable length uplink control channel based on the determination of whether or not to use intra-slot frequency hopping, and means for using one of RRC or DCI signaling to change the state of inter-slot hopping.

Claim 1:
A method of wireless communication at a user equipment, UE, (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
receiving, from a base station, a Radio Resource Control, RRC, signal that signals to turn on or turn off intra-slot frequency hopping;
determining (<NUM>, <NUM>), based on the RRC signal, whether or not to use intra-slot frequency hopping for a variable length uplink control channel;
based on the determination, turning on or turning off intra-slot frequency hopping; and
communicating (<NUM>, <NUM>) information based on the determination of whether or not to use intra-slot frequency hopping to a transmitter (<NUM>) in the UE (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) for transmission over the variable length uplink control channel, the information being transmitted by the transmitter based on the signal from the base station, wherein a number of demodulation reference signals, DMRSs, on the variable length uplink control channel is reduced when the intra-slot frequency hopping is not used relative to when the intra-slot frequency hopping is used.