Patent Description:
The above multiple access technologies have been adopted in various telecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that enables different wireless communication devices to communicate on a municipal, national, regional, and even global level. NR is designed to better support mobile broadband Internet access by improving spectral efficiency, lowering costs, improving services, making use of new spectrum, and better integrating with other open standards using OFDM with a cyclic prefix (CP) (CP-OFDM) on the downlink (DL), using CP-OFDM and/or SC-FDM (e.g., also known as discrete Fourier transform spread ODFM (DFT-s-OFDM)) on the uplink (UL), as well as supporting beamforming, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology, and carrier aggregation.

"<NPL>) discloses the potential physical layer evolution under consideration and compare the benefits of each evolution techniques, along with the complexity evaluation of each technique.

<NPL> (<NUM>-<NUM>-<NUM>) discloses the design of DL control channel including the control region.

<CIT> provides a solution which solves the problem of demodulation reference signal (DMRS) ambiguity by introducing separate, i.e. different DMRSs.

This is especially the case for systems employing dynamic allocation of control and data signals to different PRBs.

<CIT> discloses a method on a Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A) system backhaul link for demodulation pilot transmission, wherein the method includes: among the resource areas occupied by a Relay-Physical Downlink Shared Channel (R-PDSCH) on the backhaul link, a base station selects the resource units which are preconfigured for sending the demodulation pilot signal of the R-PDSCH; and the base station sends the demodulation pilot signal to a Relay Node (RN) belonging to the base station by using the selected resource units.

According to the invention, which is defined by the appended claims, a method, an apparatus, and a computer program product are provided.

Aspects generally include a method, apparatus, system, computer program product, non-transitory computer-readable medium, base station, user equipment, wireless communication device, and processing system as substantially described herein with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

An access point ("AP") may comprise, be implemented as, or known as a NodeB, a Radio Network Controller ("RNC"), an eNodeB (eNB), a Base Station Controller ("BSC"), a Base Transceiver Station ("BTS"), a Base Station ("BS"), a Transceiver Function ("TF"), a Radio Router, a Radio Transceiver, a Basic Service Set ("BSS"), an Extended Service Set ("ESS"), a Radio Base Station ("RBS"), a Node B (NB), a gNB, a <NUM> NB, a NR BS, a Transmit Receive Point (TRP), or some other terminology.

An access terminal ("AT") may comprise, be implemented as, or be known as an access terminal, a subscriber station, a subscriber unit, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a user terminal, a user agent, a user device, user equipment (UE), a user station, a wireless node, or some other terminology. In some aspects, an access terminal may comprise a cellular telephone, a smart phone, a cordless telephone, a Session Initiation Protocol ("SIP") phone, a wireless local loop ("WLL") station, a personal digital assistant ("PDA"), a tablet, a netbook, a smartbook, an ultrabook, a handheld device having wireless connection capability, a Station ("STA"), or some other suitable processing device connected to a wireless modem. Accordingly, one or more aspects taught herein may be incorporated into a phone (e.g., a cellular phone, a smart phone), a computer (e.g., a desktop), a portable communication device, a portable computing device (e.g., a laptop, a personal data assistant, a tablet, a netbook, a smartbook, an ultrabook), wearable device (e.g., smart watch, smart glasses, smart bracelet, smart wristband, smart ring, smart clothing, and/or the like), medical devices or equipment, biometric sensors/devices, an entertainment device (e.g., music device, video device, satellite radio, gaming device, and/or the like), a vehicular component or sensor, smart meters/sensors, industrial manufacturing equipment, a global positioning system device, or any other suitable device that is configured to communicate via a wireless or wired medium. In some aspects, the node is a wireless node. A wireless node may provide, for example, connectivity for or to a network (e.g., a wide area network such as the Internet or a cellular network) via a wired or wireless communication link. Some UEs may be considered machine-type communication (MTC) UEs, which may include remote devices that may communicate with a base station, another remote device, or some other entity. Machine type communications (MTC) may refer to communication involving at least one remote device on at least one end of the communication and may include forms of data communication which involve one or more entities that do not necessarily need human interaction. MTC UEs may include UEs that are capable of MTC communications with MTC servers and/or other MTC devices through Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMN), for example.

Examples of MTC devices include sensors, meters, location tags, monitors, drones, robots/robotic devices, and/or the like. MTC UEs, as well as other types of UEs, may be implemented as NB-IoT (narrowband internet of things) devices.

A BS is an entity that communicates with user equipment (UEs) and may also be referred to as a base station, a NR BS, a Node B, a gNB, a <NUM> NB, an access point, a TRP, and/or the like.

Some UEs may be considered evolved or enhanced machine-type communication (eMTC) UEs. Some UEs may be considered Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices.

A dashed line with double arrows indicates potentially interfering transmissions between a UE and a BS.

<FIG> shows a block diagram of a design of base station <NUM> and UE <NUM>, which may be one of the base stations and one of the UEs in <FIG>.

Transmit processor <NUM> may also process system information (e.g., for semi-static resource partitioning information (SRPI), and/or the like) and control information (e.g., CQI requests, grants, upper layer signaling, and/or the like) and provide overhead symbols and control symbols. Transmit processor <NUM> may also generate reference symbols for reference signals (e.g., the CRS) and synchronization signals (e.g., the primary synchronization signal (PSS) and secondary synchronization signal (SSS)). According to certain aspects described in more detail below, the synchronization signals can be generated with location encoding to convey additional information.

A channel processor may determine RSRP, RSSI, RSRQ, CQI, and/or the like.

Controllers/processors <NUM> and <NUM> and/or any other component(s) in <FIG> may direct the operation at base station <NUM> and UE <NUM>, respectively, to perform unicast data transmission on a downlink common burst of a slot using a mini-slot. For example, controller/processor <NUM> and/or other processors and modules at base station <NUM>, may perform or direct operations of UE <NUM> to perform unicast data transmission on a downlink common burst of a slot using a mini-slot. For example, controller/processor <NUM> and/or other controllers/processors and modules at BS <NUM> may perform or direct operations of, for example, process <NUM> of <FIG> and/or other processes as described herein. In some aspects, one or more of the components shown in <FIG> may be employed to perform example process <NUM> of <FIG> and/or other processes for the techniques described herein. Memories <NUM> and <NUM> may store data and program codes for BS <NUM> and UE <NUM>, respectively.

<FIG> shows an example frame structure <NUM> for FDD in a telecommunications system (e.g., LTE). Each radio frame may have a predetermined duration (e.g., <NUM> milliseconds (ms)) and may be partitioned into <NUM> subframes with indices of <NUM> through <NUM>. Each subframe may include two slots. Each radio frame may thus include <NUM> slots with indices of <NUM> through <NUM>. Each slot may include L symbol periods, e.g., seven symbol periods for a normal cyclic prefix (as shown in <FIG>) or six symbol periods for an extended cyclic prefix. The <NUM> symbol periods in each subframe may be assigned indices of <NUM> through <NUM>-<NUM>.

In certain telecommunications (e.g., LTE), a BS may transmit a primary synchronization signal (PSS) and a secondary synchronization signal (SSS) on the downlink in the center of the system bandwidth for each cell supported by the BS. The PSS and SSS may be transmitted in symbol periods <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, in subframes <NUM> and <NUM> of each radio frame with the normal cyclic prefix, as shown in <FIG>. The BS may transmit a cell-specific reference signal (CRS) across the system bandwidth for each cell supported by the BS. The CRS may be transmitted in certain symbol periods of each subframe and may be used by the UEs to perform channel estimation, channel quality measurement, and/or other functions. The BS may also transmit a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) in symbol periods <NUM> to <NUM> in slot <NUM> of certain radio frames. The PBCH may carry some system information. The BS may transmit other system information such as system information blocks (SIBs) on a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) in certain subframes. The BS may transmit control information/data on a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in the first B symbol periods of a subframe, where B may be configurable for each subframe. The BS may transmit traffic data and/or other data on the PDSCH in the remaining symbol periods of each subframe.

In other systems (e.g., such NR or <NUM> systems), a Node B may transmit these or other signals in these locations or in different locations of the subframe.

<FIG> shows two example subframe formats <NUM> and <NUM> with the normal cyclic prefix. Each resource block may cover <NUM> subcarriers in one slot and may include a number of resource elements. Each resource element may cover one subcarrier in one symbol period and may be used to send one modulation symbol, which may be a real or complex value.

Subframe format <NUM> may be used for two antennas. A CRS may be transmitted from antennas <NUM> and <NUM> in symbol periods <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. A reference signal is a signal that is known a priori by a transmitter and a receiver and may also be referred to as pilot. A CRS is a reference signal that is specific for a cell, e.g., generated based at least in part on a cell identity (ID). In <FIG>, for a given resource element with label Ra, a modulation symbol may be transmitted on that resource element from antenna a, and no modulation symbols may be transmitted on that resource element from other antennas. Subframe format <NUM> may be used with four antennas. A CRS may be transmitted from antennas <NUM> and <NUM> in symbol periods <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> and from antennas <NUM> and <NUM> in symbol periods <NUM> and <NUM>. For both subframe formats <NUM> and <NUM>, a CRS may be transmitted on evenly spaced subcarriers, which may be determined based at least in part on cell ID. CRSs may be transmitted on the same or different subcarriers, depending on their cell IDs. For both subframe formats <NUM> and <NUM>, resource elements not used for the CRS may be used to transmit data (e.g., traffic data, control data, and/or other data).

The PSS, SSS, CRS and PBCH in LTE are described in 3GPP TS <NUM>, entitled "Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Physical Channels and Modulation," which is publicly available.

An interlace structure may be used for each of the downlink and uplink for FDD in certain telecommunications systems (e.g., LTE). For example, Q interlaces with indices of <NUM> through Q - <NUM> may be defined, where Q may be equal to <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or some other value. Each interlace may include subframes that are spaced apart by Q frames. In particular, interlace q may include subframes q, q + Q, q + 2Q, and/or the like, where q ∈ {<NUM>,. , Q-<NUM>}.

The wireless network may support hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) for data transmission on the downlink and uplink. For HARQ, a transmitter (e.g., a BS) may send one or more transmissions of a packet until the packet is decoded correctly by a receiver (e.g., a UE) or some other termination condition is encountered. For synchronous HARQ, all transmissions of the packet may be sent in subframes of a single interlace. For asynchronous HARQ, each transmission of the packet may be sent in any subframe.

Received signal quality may be quantified by a signal-to-noise- and-interference ratio (SINR), or a reference signal received quality (RSRQ), or some other metric. While aspects of the examples described herein may be associated with LTE technologies, aspects of the present disclosure may be applicable with other wireless communication systems, such as NR or <NUM> technologies.

A single component carrier bandwidth of <NUM> may be supported. NR resource blocks may span <NUM> sub-carriers with a sub-carrier bandwidth of <NUM> kilohertz (kHz) over a <NUM> duration. Each radio frame may include <NUM> subframes with a length of <NUM>. Consequently, each subframe may have a length of <NUM>. Each subframe may indicate a link direction (e.g., DL or UL) for data transmission and the link direction for each subframe may be dynamically switched. Each subframe may include DL/UL data as well as DL/UL control data. UL and DL slots of subframes for NR may be as described in more detail below with respect to <FIG>, <FIG>.

The RAN may include a central unit (CU) and distributed units (DUs). A NR BS (e.g., gNB, <NUM> Node B, Node B, transmit receive point (TRP), access point (AP)) may correspond to one or multiple BSs. NR cells can be configured as access cells (ACells) or data only cells (DCells). For example, the RAN (e.g., a central unit or distributed unit) can configure the cells. DCells may be cells used for carrier aggregation or dual connectivity, but not used for initial access, cell selection/reselection, or handover. In some cases, DCells may not transmit synchronization signals-in some case cases DCells may transmit SS. NR BSs may transmit downlink signals to UEs indicating the cell type. Based at least in part on the cell type indication, the UE may communicate with the NR BS. For example, the UE may determine NR BSs to consider for cell selection, access, handover, and/or measurement based at least in part on the indicated cell type.

The PDCP, RLC, MAC protocol may be adaptably placed at the ANC or TRP.

<FIG> is a diagram <NUM> showing an example of a DL-centric wireless communication structure. The DL-centric wireless communication structure (referred to hereinafter as a DL-centric slot) may include a control portion <NUM>. The control portion <NUM> may exist in the initial or beginning portion of the DL-centric slot. The control portion <NUM> may include various scheduling information and/or control information corresponding to various portions of the DL-centric slot.

The DL-centric slot may also include a DL data portion <NUM>. The DL data portion <NUM> may sometimes be referred to as the payload of the DL-centric slot.

The DL-centric slot may also include an UL short burst portion <NUM>. The UL short burst portion <NUM> may sometimes be referred to as an UL burst, an UL burst portion, a common UL burst, a short burst, an UL short burst, a common UL short burst, a common UL short burst portion, and/or various other suitable terms. In some aspects, the UL short burst portion <NUM> may include one or more reference signals. Additionally, or alternatively, the UL short burst portion <NUM> may include feedback information corresponding to various other portions of the DL-centric slot. For example, the UL short burst portion <NUM> may include feedback information corresponding to the control portion <NUM> and/or the data portion <NUM>. Non-limiting examples of information that may be included in the UL short burst portion <NUM> include an ACK signal (e.g., a PUCCH ACK, a PUSCH ACK, an immediate ACK), a NACK signal (e.g., a PUCCH NACK, a PUSCH NACK, an immediate NACK), a scheduling request (SR), a buffer status report (BSR), a HARQ indicator, a channel state indication (CSI), a channel quality indicator (CQI), a sounding reference signal (SRS), a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), PUSCH data, and/or various other suitable types of information. The UL short burst portion <NUM> may include additional or alternative information, such as information pertaining to random access channel (RACH) procedures, scheduling requests, and various other suitable types of information.

In some aspects, the DL-centric slot may include one or more mini-slots in, for example, the control portion <NUM>. <FIG> is a diagram <NUM> illustrating an example of a DL-centric slot that includes one or more mini-slots <NUM> within the control portion <NUM> (sometimes referred to as a DL common burst portion <NUM>) of the DL-centric slot.

The mini-slot <NUM> is a unit of scheduling in NR that is smaller than a slot (i.e., a portion of the slot). For example, while an enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) slot may include <NUM> symbols, the mini-slot <NUM> may include fewer than <NUM> symbols (e.g., one symbol, two symbols, four symbols, and/or the like). In some aspects, the mini-slot <NUM> may include one or more data symbols that represent data.

Additionally, or alternatively, the mini-slot <NUM> may include one or more control symbols that represent control information associated with the mini-slot <NUM>. In some aspects, the one or more control symbols may be at or near a beginning of the mini-slot <NUM> (e.g., in the first two symbols of the mini-slot) or at or near an end of the mini-slot <NUM> (e.g., in the last symbol of the mini-slot. ) Alternatively, the mini-slot <NUM> may not include a control symbol.

Additionally, or alternatively, the mini-slot <NUM> may include a reference symbol that carries information associated with demodulating data included in the mini-slot <NUM> (e.g., a DMRS). In some aspects, the reference symbol may be at any location within the mini-slot <NUM> (e.g., in a first symbol, a last symbol, and/or the like). In some aspects, the reference symbol and the control symbol may be the same symbol (i.e., a single symbol may carry the control information and the information associated with demodulating data included in the mini-slot <NUM>).

In some aspects, the inclusion of the reference symbol in the mini-slot <NUM> may permit a reference symbol to be omitted from a portion of the DL data portion <NUM>. For example, assume that the mini-slot <NUM> carries first data destined for a particular UE and the portion of the DL data portion <NUM>, that uses a same frequency band as the mini-slot <NUM>, carries second data destined for the particular UE. Here, if the mini-slot <NUM> includes the reference symbol, then the portion of the DL data portion <NUM> may not include the reference symbol. In this example, the particular UE may use the reference symbol included in the mini-slot <NUM> to demodulate the second data carried in the portion of the DL data portion <NUM>. Omitting the reference symbol from the portion of the DL data portion <NUM> may provide for reduced latency since the particular UE may demodulate, and thereafter acknowledge, receipt of the second data without buffering the second data carried in the portion of the DL data portion <NUM>.

Alternatively, the mini-slot <NUM> may not include a reference symbol. For example, assume that the mini-slot <NUM> carries first data destined for a particular UE, and a portion of the DL data portion <NUM> that uses a same frequency band as the mini-slot <NUM> carries second data destined for the particular UE. Here, the mini-slot <NUM> may not include the reference symbol when the reference symbol is included in the portion of the DL data portion <NUM> that carries the second data. In this example, the particular UE may buffer the first data carried in the mini-slot <NUM>, and demodulate the first data after receiving the reference symbol in the portion of the DL data portion <NUM>. Omitting the reference symbol from the mini-slot <NUM> may provide for improved robustness to mobility of the particular UE since the reference symbol is received later (e.g., near the middle) of the transmission of the first data and the second data to the particular UE.

In some aspects, the mini-slot <NUM> may have a subcarrier spacing that is the same as a subcarrier spacing of the slot in which the mini-slot <NUM> is included. Alternatively, the mini-slot <NUM> may have a subcarrier spacing that differs from the subcarrier spacing of the slot in which the mini-slot <NUM> is included. In some aspects, increasing the subcarrier spacing of the mini-slot <NUM> relative to the subcarrier spacing of the slot may allow for additional symbols to be included in the mini-slot <NUM>. For example, if the mini-slot <NUM> has a same subcarrier spacing as the slot (e.g., <NUM> kilohertz (kHz)), then the mini-slot <NUM> may include a particular number of symbols (e.g., <NUM> symbols). However, if the mini-slot <NUM> has a subcarrier spacing that is greater than (e.g., two times) the subcarrier spacing (e.g., <NUM> x <NUM> = <NUM>), then the mini-slot <NUM> may include a greater number (e.g., two times) the particular number of symbols (e.g., <NUM> x <NUM> symbols = <NUM> symbols).

In some aspects, a parameter, associated with transmitting data in the mini-slot <NUM>, may be different than a parameter associated with transmitting data in the DL data portion <NUM>. For example, a MCS associated with data included in the mini-slot <NUM> (e.g., a modulation order, a coding rate, a HARQ configuration, and/or the like) may be different from a MCS associated with data included in the DL data portion <NUM>. As another example, a number of MIMO layers, associated with the data included in the mini-slot <NUM>, may be different from a number of MIMO layers associated with the data included in the DL data portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in some aspects, a mini-slot <NUM> may be included in the control portion <NUM> (i.e., the DL common burst portion <NUM>) of the DL-centric slot. In some aspects, the mini-slot <NUM> may be used to transmit data to a particular UE. As such, in some aspects, the mini slot <NUM> may include unicast data (e.g., data destined for a particular UE), while the remainder of the control portion <NUM> may include broadcast data (e.g., data destined for multiple UEs). In other words, the portion of the control portion <NUM> used for mini-slot <NUM> may include unicast data, whereas the control portion <NUM> includes broadcast or multicast data.

In some aspects, the mini-slot <NUM> may be associated with transmitting data to a particular UE and may utilize one or more ranges of frequencies. For example, the mini-slot <NUM> may utilize a particular range of frequencies of the slot (e.g., a highest <NUM> megahertz (MHz) when a slot has a range of <NUM>) to transmit data to the particular UE, while the DL common burst portion <NUM> may utilize a different range of frequencies of the slot (e.g., the remaining <NUM> of the <NUM> slot) to transmit control information to multiple UEs. As another example, the mini-slot <NUM> may utilize a first range of frequencies of the slot (e.g., the highest <NUM> of the <NUM> slot range) and a second range of frequencies of the slot (e.g., a lowest <NUM> of the <NUM> slot range) to transmit data to the particular UE, while the DL common burst portion <NUM> may utilize a third range of frequencies of the slot (e.g., a middle <NUM> of the <NUM> slot) to transmit control information to multiple UEs. In some aspects, as shown in <FIG>, the first range of frequencies may be separated from the second range of frequencies by the third range of frequencies.

Additionally, or alternatively, different mini-slots <NUM> may be associated with transmitting data to different UEs and may utilize different ranges of frequencies. For example, a first mini-slot <NUM> may utilize a first range of frequencies of the slot (e.g., the highest <NUM> of the <NUM> slot range) to transmit first data to a first particular UE, while a second mini-slot <NUM> may utilize a second range of frequencies of the slot (e.g., the lowest <NUM> of the <NUM> slot range) to transmit second data to a second particular UE. Here, the DL common burst portion <NUM> may utilize a third range of frequencies of the slot (e.g., the middle <NUM> of the <NUM> slot) to transmit control information to multiple UEs.

The foregoing is merely one example of an UL-centric wireless communication structure that includes one or more mini-slots and alternative structures having similar features may exist without necessarily deviating from the aspects described herein. Details regarding scheduling of mini-slots <NUM> within a DL-centric slot for transmission of unicast data to a particular UE are described below.

As indicated above, <FIG> are provided merely as examples. Further, while <FIG> are DL-centric slots may be used for NR technology, another type of radio access technology (e.g., LTE) may use a subframe for a similar purpose and/or in a similar manner as that described in association with the DL-centric slots of <FIG>.

<FIG> is a diagram <NUM> showing an example of an UL-centric wireless communication structure. The UL-centric wireless communication structure (referred to hereinafter as an UL-centric slot) may include a control portion <NUM>. The control portion <NUM> may exist in the initial or beginning portion of the UL-centric slot. The control portion <NUM> in <FIG> may be similar to the control portion <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>. In some configurations, the control portion <NUM> (sometimes referred to as DL common burst portion <NUM>) may be a physical DL control channel (PDCCH).

The UL-centric slot may also include an UL long burst portion <NUM>. The UL long burst portion <NUM> may sometimes be referred to as the payload of the UL-centric slot. The UL long burst portion <NUM> may refer to the communication resources utilized to communicate UL data from the subordinate entity (e.g., UE) to the scheduling entity (e.g., UE or BS).

The UL-centric slot may also include an UL short burst portion <NUM>. The UL short burst portion <NUM> in <FIG> may be similar to the UL short burst portion <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>, and may include any of the information described above in connection with <FIG>. The foregoing is merely one example of an UL-centric wireless communication structure and alternative structures having similar features may exist without necessarily deviating from the aspects described herein.

In some aspects, the UL-centric slot may include one or more mini-slots in, for example, the control portion <NUM>. <FIG> is a diagram <NUM> illustrating an example of a UL-centric slot that includes one or more mini-slots <NUM> within the control portion <NUM> (sometimes referred to as a DL common burst portion <NUM>) of the UL-centric slot. The mini-slot <NUM> in <FIG> may be similar to the mini-slot <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>, and may include any information described in connection with <FIG>. The foregoing is merely one example of an UL-centric wireless communication structure that includes one or more mini-slots, and alternative structures having similar features may exist without necessarily deviating from the aspects described herein. Details regarding scheduling of mini-slots <NUM> within a UL-centric slot for transmission of unicast data to a particular UE are described below.

In one example, a wireless communication structure, such as a frame, may include both UL-centric slots and DL-centric slots. In this example, the ratio of UL-centric slots to DL-centric slots in a frame may be dynamically adjusted based at least in part on the amount of UL data and the amount of DL data that are transmitted. For example, if there is more UL data, then the ratio of UL-centric slots to DL-centric slots may be increased. Conversely, if there is more DL data, then the ratio of UL-centric slots to DL-centric slots may be decreased.

As indicated above, <FIG> are provided merely as examples. Further, while <FIG> are UL-centric slots that may be used for NR technology, another type of radio access technology (e.g., LTE) may use a subframe for a similar purpose and/or in a similar manner as that described in association with the UL-centric slots of <FIG>.

As described above, a control portion of a slot (e.g., control portion <NUM> or control portion <NUM> of a DL-centric slot or an UL-centric slot, respectively) may include one or more mini-slots (e.g., mini-slots <NUM> or <NUM>) for transmitting data (e.g., unicast data) to a particular UE. Use of the mini-slots within the control portion to transmit such data may permit a latency and/or a reliability requirement of a service (e.g., a low latency service, an ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) service, and/or the like) to be satisfied without impacting network performance. For example, when the control portion of the slot utilizes only a portion of the control portion (e.g., a middle <NUM> of an <NUM> range), use of one or more other portions of the control portion as mini-slots to transmit URLLC data to a particular UE may improve the URLLC service, as provided to the particular UE, by allowing for reduced latency and/or improved reliability (without negatively impacting network performance). In some aspects, BS <NUM> may schedule such mini-slots for transmissions of unicast data within DL-centric and/or UL-centric slots.

In some aspects, the mini-slots may be used for service that requires (e.g., due to a HARQ configuration of the particular UE <NUM>) an acknowledgement (e.g., an ACK) to be transmitted in a same slot as a data transmission. Here, BS <NUM> may schedule a mini-slot for a transmission to the particular UE <NUM> (e.g., UE <NUM> with the HARQ configuration) in order to allow the particular UE <NUM> to provide an acknowledgment in the same slot. Notably, BS <NUM> can schedule data on the data portion of the slot, but a service requiring the same-slot acknowledgment may need to be scheduled on the mini-slot depending on HARQ configurations supported by the particular UE <NUM>. For example, if the particular UE <NUM> does not support transmitting a same-slot acknowledgement for data received in the data portion of the slot, but is capable of doing so for the mini-slot, then BS <NUM> should schedule the data for transmission in the mini-slot.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example <NUM> of scheduling a mini-slot for transmitting data in a portion of a DL common burst portion of a slot, and transmitting the data within the mini-slot. Notably, while example <NUM> describes techniques associated with scheduling a mini-slot within a DL-centric slot, these techniques may be similarly applied in association with scheduling a mini-slot within an UL-centric slot.

As shown in <FIG>, and by reference number <NUM>, BS <NUM> may identify control information that includes information associated with one or more transmissions of data within a slot. The control information may include, for example, information that identifies a set of radio resources corresponding to one or more transmissions of data within DL data portion the slot (i.e., a set of radio resources corresponding to each transmission in the DL data portion), information that identifies UEs <NUM> associated with each of the one or more transmissions in the DL data portion of the slot, and/or the like. In some aspects, such control information allows each UE <NUM> to identify radio resources, within the DL data portion, that include data destined for the UE <NUM>.

In some aspects, the control information may include information associated with one or more mini-slots, where each mini-slot may be used to transmit data to a different particular UE <NUM>.

Additionally, or alternatively, the control information may include information that identifies a set of radio resources corresponding to one or more transmissions of data in a mini-slot in the control portion of the slot (i.e., a set of radio resources in the control portion that will be used to transmit the data), information that identifies a particular UE <NUM> to which the data is to be transmitted, and/or the like. In some aspects, such control information allows the particular UE <NUM> to determine that BS <NUM> will transmit data to the particular UE <NUM> using the mini-slot, included in the control portion of the slot, that is described by the control information.

In some aspects, the particular UE <NUM> for which a mini-slot is scheduled may have a portion of a DL data portion <NUM> scheduled for another transmission to the particular UE <NUM>. Alternatively, the particular UE <NUM> for which a mini-slot is scheduled may not have a portion of a DL data portion <NUM> scheduled for another transmission to the particular UE <NUM> (i.e., the particular UE <NUM> may be scheduled for a transmission using only the mini-slot).

In some aspects, BS <NUM> may determine the control information based on a scheduler of BS <NUM> (e.g., scheduler <NUM>) that schedules UEs <NUM> for data transmissions on the downlink and/or uplink.

As shown by reference number <NUM>, BS <NUM> may transmit the control information within a control portion of a DL common burst. For example, BS <NUM> may transmit the control information within a portion of control portion <NUM> (i.e., a DL common burst) of a DL-centric slot. As another example, BS <NUM> may transmit the control information within a portion of control portion <NUM> (i.e., a DL common burst) of an UL-centric slot.

In some aspects, as described above, the portion of the DL common burst used to transmit the control information may be less than the entire DL common burst portion of the slot. For example, BS <NUM> may transmit the control information using radio resources associated with a particular range of frequencies that is less than an entire range of frequencies associated with the slot (e.g., a middle <NUM> of an <NUM> slot).

In this way, BS <NUM> may schedule the mini-slot for transmission of data to the particular UE in a portion of a DL common burst of a slot.

As further shown in <FIG>, and by reference number <NUM>, BS <NUM> may transmit a signal including the data (sometimes referred to as transmitting the data), destined for the particular UE <NUM>, within the mini-slot (e.g., using other radio resources corresponding of the mini-slot) of the DL common burst portion of the slot.

In some aspects, BS <NUM> may transmit the control information and the mini-slot data in a same slot (i.e., within a same DL common burst of a DL-centric or UL-centric slot). Additionally, or alternatively, BS <NUM> may transmit the control information in a first slot (e.g., a within a DL common burst portion of a DL-centric or UL-centric slot) and may transmit the signal including mini-slot data in a second slot (e.g., within a DL common burst portion of a subsequent DL-centric or UL-centric slot). As described above, in some aspects, BS <NUM> may transmit a DMRS within the mini-slot, or may transmit the DMRS within a DL data portion of the slot (e.g., when the portion of the DL data portion that uses a same frequency band as the mini-slot carries additional data destined for the particular UE <NUM>).

In some aspects, in the case of DL-centric slot, BS <NUM> may transmit a signal including other data in the DL data portion of the slot (e.g., after transmitting the control information and the mini-slot data in the DL common burst) in the typical manner. In the case of an UL-centric slot, BS <NUM> may await receipt of UL data, transmitted by UEs <NUM> in the UL data portion of the UL-centric slot.

As shown by reference number <NUM>, the particular UE <NUM> may receive the control information transmitted by BS <NUM> in the DL common burst. In some aspects, the particular UE <NUM> may process the control information and identify, based at least in part on the control information, that the mini-slot is being used to transmit data to the particular UE <NUM> (e.g., within the same slot or a subsequent slot). In this way, the particular UE <NUM> may determine that the mini-slot, included in the DL common burst, is being used to transmit data to the particular UE <NUM>.

As shown by reference number <NUM>, based at least in part on identifying that the mini-slot is being used to transmit the data to the particular UE <NUM>, the particular UE <NUM> may receive the data within the mini-slot included in the DL common burst portion, and may process (e.g., demodulate, decode, and/or the like) the data within the mini-slot included in the DL common burst portion of the slot.

In some aspects, based on receiving and processing the mini-slot data, the particular UE <NUM> may provide, to BS <NUM>, an acknowledgement (e.g., an ACK signal) and/or another type of response associated with the data transmitted in the mini-slot. In some aspects, the particular UE <NUM> may provide the acknowledgment in the same slot as that of the mini-slot. In the case of an UL-centric slot, the particular UE <NUM> may provide the acknowledgement in the UL short burst portion or the UL data portion of the UL-centric slot. In the case of a DL-centric slot, the particular UE <NUM> may provide the acknowledgment in the UL short burst portion of the DL-centric slot. Here, the acknowledgment may, in some aspects, be a joint acknowledgment of both the data transmitted to the particular UE <NUM> in the mini-slot and other data transmitted to the particular UE <NUM> in the DL data portion of the DL-centric slot. This may occur when the particular UE <NUM> receives two downlink grants (e.g., a downlink grant for the mini-slot and a downlink grant for the data portion of the slot) and the particular UE <NUM> jointly acknowledges for both grants. In such a case, BS <NUM> and the particular UE <NUM> need to agree that such a HARQ configuration and acknowledgement reporting is allowed, which may necessitate signaling between BS <NUM> and the particular UE <NUM>. In some aspects, such signaling may be semi-static or dynamic, where the nature of the signaling may depend on a length, a duration, and/or an amount of resources available in the UL-common burst portion of the slot.

In some aspects, the particular UE <NUM> may provide the acknowledgement in a subsequent slot.

In some aspects, if the data transmitted to the particular UE <NUM> using the mini-slot is not successfully receive and/or processed by the particular UE <NUM> (e.g., causing the particular UE to provide a NACK signal to BS <NUM>), then BS <NUM> may retransmit the data. In such a case, BS <NUM> may retransmit the data in another mini-slot (e.g., included in a DL common burst portion of a later DL-centric or UL-centric slot) or in a DL data portion of a later DL-centric slot. Notably, the data need not be retransmitted in another mini-slot.

<FIG> is a flow chart of a process <NUM> of wireless communication. The process may be performed by a base station (e.g., the BS <NUM> of <FIG>, access node <NUM> of <FIG>, apparatus <NUM> of <FIG>, apparatus <NUM>' of <FIG>, and/or the like).

At <NUM>, the base station may schedule a mini-slot for transmission of unicast data to a particular UE, the mini-slot being scheduled in a portion of a DL common burst portion of a slot. In some aspects, the base station may identify control information the control information may include information that identifies a set of radio resources corresponding to one or more transmissions of data in a mini-slot in the DL common burst portion of the slot (i.e., a set of radio resources in the control portion that will be used to transmit the data), information that identifies the particular UE to which the data is to be transmitted, and/or the like.

In some aspects, the base station may transmit the control information within a control portion of a DL common burst. For example, the base station may transmit the control information within a portion of a DL common burst portion of a DL-centric slot or an UL-centric slot. In some aspects, the particular UE may receive the control information and may identify that the particular UE is to receive the data in the mini-slot that is included in the DL common burst portion of the slot.

At <NUM>, the base station may transmit a signal, including the unicast data, within the mini-slot. In some aspects, the base station may transmit a signal, including unicast data, destined for the particular UE, within the mini-slot (e.g., using other radio resources corresponding of the mini-slot) of the DL common burst portion of the slot.

In some aspects, the base station may transmit the control information and the mini-slot data in a same slot (i.e., within a same DL common burst of a DL-centric or UL-centric slot). Additionally, or alternatively, the base station may transmit the control information in a first slot (e.g., within a DL common burst portion of a DL-centric or UL-centric slot) and may transmit the mini-slot data in a second slot (e.g., within a DL common burst portion of a subsequent DL-centric or UL-centric slot). In some aspects, the particular UE may process the data, included in the mini-slot within the DL common burst, based at least in part on receiving the control information transmitted by the base station.

In some aspects, the base station may schedule a mini-slot for transmission of unicast data to a particular UE, wherein the mini-slot may be scheduled in a portion of a DL common burst portion of a slot, and the base station may transmit a signal, including the unicast data, within the mini-slot.

In some aspects, scheduling the mini-slot may include identifying control information associated with scheduling the mini-slot, wherein the control information may be transmitted, by the base station, within at least one of another portion of the DL common burst portion of the slot or a portion of a DL common burst portion of another slot.

In some aspects, the base station may transmit a DMRS within the mini-slot, and the DMRS may be used to demodulate data within a data portion of the slot associated with the particular UE. Alternatively, the base station may transmit the DMRS within the data portion of the slot associated with the particular UE, and the DMRS may be used to demodulate data within the mini-slot. In such aspects, the DMRS and the data should be pre-coded in a similar manner within both the mini-slot and the slot. In some aspects, signaling between the base station and the particular UE may specify whether the DMRS signal transmitted within the mini-slot is to be used to demodulate data within a data portion of the slot, or whether the DMRS transmitted within the data portion of the slot is to be used to demodulate the unicast data within the mini-slot, wherein the signaling may be semi-static or dynamic depending on mobility of the particular UE or configurations (e.g., HARQ configurations) of the mini-slot and the slot. In some aspects, if the mini-slot transmission is required to acknowledged in a same slot as the mini-slot, then the DMRS should be transmitted in the mini-slot rather than the data portion of the slot. In some aspects, the mini-slot may be associated with a first frequency range and a second frequency range, wherein the first frequency range and the second frequency range are separated by a frequency range of a control portion of the DL common burst portion.

In some aspects, the mini-slot may be a first mini-slot, the unicast data may be first unicast data, the particular UE may be a first particular UE, and the portion of the DL common burst portion may be a first portion of the DL common burst portion, and the base station may schedule a second mini-slot transmission of second unicast data to a second particular UE. Here, the second mini-slot may be scheduled in a second portion of the DL common burst portion, and the second unicast data may be included in the signal within the second mini-slot. In some aspects, the first mini-slot may be associated with a first frequency range and the second mini-slot may be associated with a second frequency range, wherein the first frequency range and the second frequency range are separated by a frequency range of a control portion of the DL common burst portion.

In some aspects, the unicast data may be associated with an ultra-reliable low-latency communication service.

In some aspects, the slot is a DL-centric slot.

In some aspects, the base station may receive an acknowledgement, associated with the unicast data transmitted in the mini-slot, in an UL common burst portion of the slot, wherein the acknowledgement may be provided by the particular UE. In some aspects, the acknowledgement may be a joint acknowledgement that includes an acknowledgement associated with other data transmitted in a data portion of the slot. In some aspects, signaling between the base station and the particular UE may cause the base station and the particular UE to agree that a joint acknowledgment is permitted, wherein the signaling is semi-static or dynamic depending on a length, a duration, or an amount of resources available in the uplink common burst portion of the slot.

In some aspects, the base station may retransmit the unicast data within at least one of a data portion of the slot, a data portion of another slot, or a mini-slot in the other slot.

In some aspects, a parameter, associated with the transmission of the unicast data within the mini-slot, may be different from a parameter associated with the transmission of other data in a data portion of the slot, wherein the parameter may include a MCS or a number of MIMO layers.

In some aspects, the slot may be an UL-centric slot. Here, an acknowledgement, associated with the unicast data transmitted in the mini-slot, may be received in a data portion of the slot.

In some aspects, a length of the mini-slot may be one symbol or two symbols. In some aspects, the length of the mini-slot may be implicitly signaled to be the same as the length of the DL common burst portion of the slot. In this case, no explicit notification is needed regarding the length of the mini-slot. In some aspects, the length of the DL-common burst may be semi-statically configurable and, therefore, the length of the mini-slot may be adjusted accordingly. In some aspects, whether the length of the mini-slot is the same length as the DL common burst portion of the slot may be determined based on signaling (e.g., semi-static signaling) between the base station and the particular UE.

In some aspects, a frequency range of the mini-slot of the DL common burst portion may differ from a frequency range used for a control portion of the DL common burst portion of the slot.

In some aspects, the particular UE may not be not scheduled to receive data in a data portion (e.g., a regular data portion) of the slot.

In some aspects, a UE may receive a signal, including unicast data, within a mini-slot, wherein the mini-slot may be received in a portion of a DL common burst portion of a slot, and the UE may process the unicast data within the mini-slot of the DL common burst portion of the slot. In some aspects, the UE may transmit a response, associated with the unicast data, in the slot or in a subsequent slot. Although <FIG> shows example blocks of a method of wireless communication, in some aspects, the method may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those shown in <FIG>. Additionally, or alternatively, two or more blocks shown in <FIG> may be performed in parallel. <FIG> is a conceptual data flow diagram <NUM> illustrating the data flow between different modules/means/components in an example apparatus <NUM>. The apparatus <NUM> may be a base station, such as BS <NUM>, <NUM> access node <NUM>, and/or the like. In some aspects, the apparatus <NUM> includes a reception module <NUM>, a scheduling module <NUM>, and/or a transmission module <NUM>.

The reception module <NUM> may receive data <NUM> from a network <NUM>, such as data transmitted by one or more one or more other network entities. In some aspects, the reception module <NUM> may provide data <NUM> to the scheduling module <NUM>. In some aspects, the data <NUM> may indicate that the scheduling module <NUM> is to schedule, in a portion of a downlink common burst portion of a slot, a mini-slot for transmitting unicast data to a particular UE. The scheduling module <NUM> may schedule, in a portion of a downlink common burst portion of a slot, a mini-slot for transmitting the unicast data to the particular UE.

The scheduling module <NUM> may provide data <NUM> to the transmission module <NUM>. For example, the scheduling module <NUM> may provide data <NUM>, including control information associated with scheduling the mini-slot, to transmission module <NUM>. The transmission module <NUM> may transmit data <NUM>, including the control information to network <NUM> and/or to the particular UE within the slot. The data <NUM> may also include the unicast data associated with the particular.

The apparatus may include additional modules that perform each of the blocks of the algorithm in the aforementioned flow chart of <FIG>. As such, each block in the aforementioned flow chart of <FIG> may be performed by a module and the apparatus may include one or more of those modules. The modules may be one or more hardware components specifically configured to carry out the stated processes/algorithm, implemented by a processor configured to perform the stated processes/algorithm, stored within a computer-readable medium for implementation by a processor, or some combination thereof.

<FIG> is a diagram <NUM> illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus <NUM>' employing a processing system <NUM>. The apparatus <NUM>' may be a base station, such as BS <NUM>, <NUM> access node <NUM>, and/or the like.

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 modules, represented by the processor <NUM>, the modules <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 communication interface <NUM>. The communication interface <NUM> provides a means for communicating with various other apparatus over a transmission medium. The communication interface <NUM> receives a signal from via the transmission medium, extracts information from the received signal, and provides the extracted information to the processing system <NUM>, specifically the reception module <NUM>. In addition, the communication interface <NUM> receives information from the processing system <NUM>, specifically the transmission module <NUM>, and based at least in part on the received information, generates a signal to be applied to the transmission medium. 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 further includes at least one of the modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The modules may be software modules running in the processor <NUM>, resident/stored in the computer readable medium / memory <NUM>, one or more hardware modules coupled to the processor <NUM>, or some combination thereof. The processing system <NUM> may be a component of the BS <NUM> and may include the memory <NUM> and/or at least one of the TX MIMO processor <NUM>, the RX processor <NUM>, and/or the controller/processor <NUM>.

In some aspects, the apparatus <NUM>/<NUM>' for wireless communication includes means for scheduling a mini-slot for transmission of unicast data to a particular UE, where the mini-slot may be scheduled in a portion of a DL common burst portion of a slot; and means for transmitting a signal, including the unicast data, within the mini-slot. The aforementioned means may be one or more of the aforementioned modules of the apparatus <NUM> and/or the processing system <NUM> of the apparatus <NUM>' configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means. As described supra, the processing system <NUM> may include the TX MIMO processor <NUM>, the RX processor <NUM>, and/or the controller/processor <NUM>. As such, in one configuration, the aforementioned means may be the TX processor <NUM>, the RX processor <NUM>, and/or the controller/processor <NUM> configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means.

Other examples are possible and may differ from what was described in connection with <FIG>.

It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes / flow charts disclosed is an illustration of example approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes / flow charts may be rearranged.

Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless specifically so stated, but rather "one or more. " The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term "some" refers to one or more. Combinations such as "at least one of A, B, or C," "at least one of A, B, and C," and "A, B, C, or any combination thereof" include any combination of A, B, and/or C, and may include multiples of A, multiples of B, or multiples of C. Specifically, combinations such as "at least one of A, B, or C," "at least one of A, B, and C," and "A, B, C, or any combination thereof" may be A only, B only, C only, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C, where any such combinations may contain one or more member or members of A, B, or C.

Claim 1:
A method (<NUM>) of wireless communication performed by a user equipment, UE, comprising:
receiving (<NUM>), from a base station, control information in a downlink, DL, in a physical DL control channel, PDCCH, portion of a slot, the PDCCH portion includes one or more mini-slots, the slot further comprising a data portion;
receiving (<NUM>), from the base station, a plurality of transmissions of data, including data in the one or more mini-slots and data in the data portion, wherein at least the data in the data portion comprises data destined for the UE; and
demodulating (<NUM>) the data received in the data portion, based on a demodulation reference signal, DMRS, received in a mini-slot in the PDCCH portion, according to signaling between the base station and the UE, which includes the received control information,
wherein the control information includes:
information configured to identify at least one radio resource corresponding to the transmission of the data in the data portion; or
information configured to identify UEs associated with each of one or more transmissions in the plurality of transmissions of data.