Patent Description:
This application relates to wireless communication systems and methods, and more particularly to improving uplink (UL) multiplexing capability in a frequency spectrum shared by multiple network operating entities.

A wireless multiple-access communications system may include a number of base stations (BSs), each simultaneously supporting communication for multiple communication devices, which may be otherwise known as user equipment (UE).

To meet the growing demands for expanded mobile broadband connectivity, wireless communication technologies are advancing from the LTE technology to a next generation new radio (NR) technology. NR may provision for dynamic medium sharing among network operators in a licensed spectrum, a shared spectrum, and/or an unlicensed spectrum. For example, shared spectrums and/or unlicensed spectrums may include frequency bands at about <NUM> gigahertz (GHz), about <NUM>, and about <NUM>.

Some spectrums may have certain PSD requirements. For example, the European Telecommunications Standard Institute (ETSI) document EN <NUM><NUM> V2. <NUM> specifies various PSD limits for sub-<NUM> frequency bands and the ETSI draft document EN <NUM><NUM> V2. <NUM> specifies a maximum equivalent isotropic radiated power (EIRP) and an EIRP density for <NUM> frequency bands. Some other frequency bands, such as citizens broadband radio service (CBRS) bands at about <NUM>, may not restrict transmissions to a particular PSD limit. In general, different spectrums may have different PSD requirements and/or different bandwidth occupancy requirements.

One approach to meeting the PSD requirement of a frequency spectrum and allowing a wireless communication device to transmit in the frequency spectrum at a full transmit power is to spread the frequency occupancy of a transmission signal over a wider bandwidth. However, the spreading of the frequency occupancy to a wider bandwidth reduces the number of wireless communication devices that can be frequency-multiplexed in the frequency spectrum. <NPL>), describes increased PUSCH spectral efficiency. <NPL>), describes increased PUSCH spectral efficiency. <NPL>), describes details on resource pool design. <CIT> describes a physical uplink control channel format for transmission of uplink control information in unlicensed spectrum is either short PUCCH or long PUCCH. <CIT> describes an arrangement where one or more frequency subcarriers within a predetermined LTE resource block are selected, covering less than the entire frequency range of the LTE resource block. The selected one or more frequency subcarriers are then used for communication from the UE to the base station. <CIT> discloses a sub-RB allocation method to UEs in an unlicensed spectrum (Block-IFDMA or IFDMA), where an RB-or subcarrier-level mapping is used for a UE depending on whether the UE is located at the cell edge or not, in order to improve the UL coverage.

The following summarizes some aspects of the present disclosure to provide a basic understanding of the discussed technology. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects of the disclosure in summary form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The techniques described herein may be used for various wireless communication networks such as code-division multiple access (CDMA), time-division multiple access (TDMA), frequency-division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA), single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) and other networks. An OFDMA network may implement a radio technology such as Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE <NUM> (Wi-Fi), IEEE <NUM> (WiMAX), IEEE <NUM>, Flash-OFDMA, etc. UTRA and E-UTRA are part of Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS). 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) are new releases of UMTS that use E-UTRA. The techniques described herein may be used for the wireless networks and radio technologies mentioned above as well as other wireless networks and radio technologies, such as a next generation (e.g., <NUM>th Generation (<NUM>) operating in mmWave bands) network.

The present application describes mechanisms for improving uplink (UL) multiplexing capability in a frequency spectrum shared by multiple network operating entities. For example, the frequency spectrum may have a PSD requirement and an allocation may be required to spread over a minimum of M number of resource blocks (RBs) to meet the PSD requirement, where M is a positive integer. The disclosed embodiments divide RBs into mini-RBs and allocate UL resources in units of mini-RBs. A mini-RB may be formed from a subset of contiguous subcarriers within a RB. Alternatively, a mini-RB may be formed from a subset of distributed subcarriers within a RB. The distributed subcarriers may be spaced apart from each by at least one other subcarrier in the RB. In an embodiment, an allocation may include a set of mini-RBs located within K number of RBs, where K is positive integer greater than or equal to M. The K RBs may be contiguous in the frequency spectrum or may be spaced apart from each other by at least one other RB in the frequency spectrum.

In an embodiment, a base station (BS) determines a configuration for a user equipment (UE) to transmit in the spectrum. The BS allocates resources in units of mini-RBs and determines a frequency distribution of the mini-RBs based on a number of UEs scheduled to communicate in a scheduling period, the number of transmission layers scheduled per UE, the PSD requirement, the subcarrier spacing (SCS), and/or the waveform used to communicate with the UEs.

In an embodiment, one or more symbols within a mini-RB may be designated for a reference signal transmission to facilitate channel equalization and demodulation at a receiver. In an embodiment, port-specific or transmission-layer specific reference signals may be used to enable a receiver to receive and detect transmissions from different transmission layers. In an embodiment, multiple reference signals may be transmitted on the same set of resources using scrambling codes (e.g., orthogonal codes). In an embodiment, multiple UEs may transmit communication signals on the same set of mini-RBs using CDM (e.g., with orthogonal spreading factors).

Aspects of the present application can provide several benefits. For example, the use of a finer allocation granularity at a mini-RB level may allow a greater number of UEs to be scheduled or multiplexed in a scheduling period. The use of scrambling codes for reference signal transmissions and the use of CDM for data transmissions allow multiple UEs to be scheduled on the same set of resources, and thus may further increase the number of UEs that can be scheduled or multiplexed within a scheduling period. While the disclosed embodiments may be described in the context of UL transmissions, the disclosed embodiments may be applied to DL transmissions. The disclosed embodiments may be suitable for use in any wireless communication network with any wireless communication protocol.

<FIG> illustrates a wireless communication network <NUM> according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The network <NUM> includes BSs <NUM>, UEs <NUM>, and a core network <NUM>. In some embodiments, the network <NUM> operates over a shared spectrum. The shared spectrum may be unlicensed or partially licensed to one or more network operators. Access to the spectrum may be limited and may be controlled by a separate coordination entity. In some embodiments, the network <NUM> may be a LTE or LTE-A network. In yet other embodiments, the network <NUM> may be a millimeter wave (mmW) network, a new radio (NR) network, a <NUM> network, or any other successor network to LTE. The network <NUM> may be operated by more than one network operator. Wireless resources may be partitioned and arbitrated among the different network operators for coordinated communication between the network operators over the network <NUM>.

The BSs <NUM> may wirelessly communicate with the UEs <NUM> via one or more BS antennas. Each BS <NUM> may provide communication coverage for a respective geographic coverage area <NUM>. In 3GPP, the term "cell" can refer to this particular geographic coverage area of a BS and/or a BS subsystem serving the coverage area, depending on the context in which the term is used. In this regard, a BS <NUM> may provide communication coverage for a macro cell, a pico cell, a femto cell, and/or other types of cell. A pico cell may generally cover a relatively smaller geographic area and may allow unrestricted access by UEs with service subscriptions with the network provider. A femto cell may also generally cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a home) and, in addition to unrestricted access, may also provide restricted access by UEs having an association with the femto cell (e.g., UEs in a closed subscriber group (CSG), UEs for users in the home, and the like). In the example shown in <FIG>, the BSs 105a, 105b and 105c are examples of macro BSs for the coverage areas 110a, 110b and 110c, respectively. The BSs 105d is an example of a pico BS or a femto BS for the coverage area 110d. As will be recognized, a BS <NUM> may support one or multiple (e.g., two, three, four, and the like) cells.

Communication links <NUM> shown in the network <NUM> may include uplink (UL) transmissions from a UE <NUM> to a BS <NUM>, or downlink (DL) transmissions, from a BS <NUM> to a UE <NUM>. The UEs <NUM> may be dispersed throughout the network <NUM>, and each UE <NUM> may be stationary or mobile. A UE <NUM> may also be referred to as a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communications device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, or some other suitable terminology. A UE <NUM> may also be a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem, a wireless communication device, a handheld device, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a cordless phone, a personal electronic device, a handheld device, a personal computer, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, an Internet of things (IoT) device, an Internet of Everything (IoE) device, a machine type communication (MTC) device, an appliance, an automobile, or the like.

The BSs <NUM> may communicate with the core network <NUM> and with one another. At least some of the BSs <NUM> (e.g., which may be an example of an evolved NodeB (eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), or an access node controller (ANC)) may interface with the core network <NUM> through backhaul links <NUM> (e.g., S1, S2, etc.) and may perform radio configuration and scheduling for communication with the UEs <NUM>. In various examples, the BSs <NUM> may communicate, either directly or indirectly (e.g., through core network <NUM>), with each other over backhaul links <NUM> (e.g., X1, X2, etc.), which may be wired or wireless communication links.

Each BS <NUM> may also communicate with a number of UEs <NUM> through a number of other BSs <NUM>, where the BS <NUM> may be an example of a smart radio head. In alternative configurations, various functions of each BS <NUM> may be distributed across various BSs <NUM> (e.g., radio heads and access network controllers) or consolidated into a single BS <NUM>.

In some implementations, the network <NUM> utilizes orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) on the downlink and single-carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC-FDM) on the UL. OFDM and SC-FDM partition the system bandwidth into multiple (K) orthogonal subcarriers, which are also commonly referred to as tones, bins, or the like. Each subcarrier may be modulated with data.

In an embodiment, the BSs <NUM> can assign or schedule transmission resources (e.g., in the form of time-frequency resource blocks) for DL and UL transmissions in the network <NUM>. DL refers to the transmission direction from a BS <NUM> to a UE <NUM>, whereas UL refers to the transmission direction from a UE <NUM> to a BS <NUM>. The communication can be in the form of radio frames. A radio frame may be divided into a plurality of subframes, for example, about <NUM>. Each subframe can be divided into slots, for example, about <NUM>. Each slot may be further divided into mini-slots. In a frequency-division duplexing (FDD) mode, simultaneous UL and DL transmissions may occur in different frequency bands. For example, each subframe includes a UL subframe in a UL frequency band and a DL subframe in a DL frequency band. In a time-division duplexing (TDD) mode, UL and DL transmissions occur at different time periods using the same frequency band. For example, a subset of the subframes (e.g., DL subframes) in a radio frame may be used for DL transmissions and another subset of the subframes (e.g., UL subframes) in the radio frame may be used for UL transmissions.

The DL subframes and the UL subframes can be further divided into several regions. For example, each DL or UL subframe may have pre-defined regions for transmissions of reference signals, control information, and data. Reference signals are predetermined signals that facilitate the communications between the BSs <NUM> and the UEs <NUM>. For example, a reference signal can have a particular pilot pattern or structure, where pilot tones may span across an operational bandwidth or frequency band, each positioned at a pre-defined time and a pre-defined frequency. For example, a BS <NUM> may transmit cell specific reference signals (CRSs) and/or channel state information -reference signals (CSI-RSs) to enable a UE <NUM> to estimate a DL channel. Similarly, a UE <NUM> may transmit sounding reference signals (SRSs) and demodulation reference signals (DMRSs) to enable a BS <NUM> to estimate a UL channel. Control information may include resource assignments and protocol controls. Data may include protocol data and/or operational data. In some embodiments, the BSs <NUM> and the UEs <NUM> may communicate using self-contained subframes. A self-contained subframe may include a portion for DL communication and a portion for UL communication. A self-contained subframe can be DL-centric or UL-centric. A DL-centric subframe may include a longer duration for DL communication than UL communication. A UL-centric subframe may include a longer duration for UL communication than UL communication.

In an embodiment, a UE <NUM> attempting to access the network <NUM> may perform an initial cell search by detecting a primary synchronization signal (PSS) from a BS <NUM>. The PSS may enable synchronization of period timing and may indicate a physical layer identity value. The UE <NUM> may then receive a secondary synchronization signal (SSS). The SSS may enable radio frame synchronization, and may provide a cell identity value, which may be combined with the physical layer identity value to identify the cell. The SSS may also enable detection of a duplexing mode and a cyclic prefix length. Some systems, such as TDD systems, may transmit an SSS but not a PSS. Both the PSS and the SSS may be located in a central portion of a carrier, respectively.

After receiving the PSS and SSS, the UE <NUM> may receive a master information block (MIB), which may be transmitted in the physical broadcast channel (PBCH). The MIB may contain system bandwidth information, a system frame number (SFN), and a Physical Hybrid-ARQ Indicator Channel (PHICH) configuration. After decoding the MIB, the UE <NUM> may receive one or more system information blocks (SIBs). For example, SIB1 may contain cell access parameters and scheduling information for other SIBs. Decoding SIB1 may enable the UE <NUM> to receive SIB2. SIB2 may contain radio resource configuration (RRC) configuration information related to random access channel (RACH) procedures, paging, physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), power control, SRS, and cell barring. After obtaining the MIB and/or the SIBs, the UE <NUM> can perform random access procedures to establish a connection with the BS <NUM>. After establishing the connection, the UE <NUM> and the BS <NUM> can enter a normal operation stage, where operational data may be exchanged.

In some embodiments, the UEs <NUM> may perform transmit power control (TPC) instead of transmitting at a full power to allow for multiplexing in a frequency domain, multiplexing in a spatial domain, and/or interference management. For example, a UE <NUM> may reduce the transmit power to a minimum power sufficient to maintain a communication link <NUM> at a certain quality.

In an embodiment, the network <NUM> may operate over a shared channel, which may include a licensed spectrum, a shared spectrum, and/or an unlicensed spectrum, and may support dynamic medium sharing. A BS <NUM> or a UE <NUM> may reserve a transmission opportunity (TXOP) in a shared channel by transmitting a reservation signal prior to transmitting data in the TXOP. Other BSs <NUM> and/or other UEs <NUM> may listen to the channel and refrain from accessing the channel during the TXOP upon detection of the reservation signal. In some embodiments, the BSs <NUM> and/or the UEs <NUM> may coordinate with each other to perform interference management for further spectrum utilization improvements.

In an embodiment, the network <NUM> may operate over various frequency bands, for example, in frequency ranges between about <NUM> to above <NUM>. Different frequency bands may have different PSD requirements. As described above, the ETSI document EN <NUM><NUM> V2. <NUM> specifies PSD requirements for various sub-<NUM> bands. For example, the frequency band between about <NUM> and about <NUM> may have a maximum allowable PSD level of about <NUM> dBm/MHz with TPC. The frequency band between about <NUM> and about <NUM> may have a maximum allowable PSD level of about <NUM> dBm/MHz without TPC. The frequency band between about <NUM> and about <NUM> may have a maximum allowable PSD level of about <NUM> dBm/MHz without TPC. The frequency band between about <NUM> and about <NUM> may have a maximum allowable PSD level of about <NUM> dBm/MHz with TPC and a maximum allowable PSD level of about <NUM> dBm/MHz without TPC. The ETSI draft document EN <NUM><NUM> V2. <NUM> specifies a maximum EIRP and an EIRP density for <NUM> bands. For example, a <NUM> band may allow an EIRP density of about <NUM> dBm/MHz and an EIRP of about <NUM> dBm.

To satisfy a certain PSD requirement in a frequency spectrum, a transmitter (e.g., the BSs <NUM> and the UEs <NUM>) may distribute the frequency occupancy of a transmission signal over a wider bandwidth. For example, a transmitter may transmit a signal over multiple narrow frequency bands spaced apart from each other in a frequency bandwidth at a higher power than transmitting the signal over contiguous frequencies. The distribution of the frequency occupancy may be in various granularities and configurations. For example, a BS <NUM> may determine a number of UEs <NUM> to be scheduled in a time period. The BS may assign resources with a particular frequency distribution mode to the UEs <NUM> based on a PSD requirement, the number of UEs <NUM> scheduled to communicate in the time period, the number of transmission layers scheduled for each UE <NUM>, the SCS, and/or the waveform used for the scheduled communications, as described in greater detail herein.

<FIG> is a block diagram of an exemplary UE <NUM> according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The UE <NUM> may be a UE <NUM> as discussed above. As shown, the UE <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a signal generation and mapping module <NUM>, a transceiver <NUM> including a modem subsystem <NUM> and a radio frequency (RF) unit <NUM>, and one or more antennas <NUM>. These elements may be in direct or indirect communication with each other, for example via one or more buses.

The memory <NUM> may include a cache memory (e.g., a cache memory of the processor <NUM>), random access memory (RAM), magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, solid state memory device, hard disk drives, other forms of volatile and non-volatile memory, or a combination of different types of memory. In an embodiment, the memory <NUM> includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The instructions <NUM> may include instructions that, when executed by the processor <NUM>, cause the processor <NUM> to perform the operations described herein with reference to the UEs <NUM> in connection with embodiments of the present disclosure. Instructions <NUM> may also be referred to as code. The terms "instructions" and "code" should be interpreted broadly to include any type of computer-readable statement(s). For example, the terms "instructions" and "code" may refer to one or more programs, routines, subroutines, functions, procedures, etc. "Instructions" and "code" may include a single computer-readable statement or many computer-readable statements.

The signal generation and mapping module <NUM> may be implemented via hardware, software, or combinations thereof. For example, the signal generation and mapping module <NUM> may be implemented as a processor, circuit, and/or instructions <NUM> stored in the memory <NUM> and executed by the processor <NUM>. The signal generation and mapping module <NUM> may be used for various aspects of the present disclosure. According to the invention, the signal generation and mapping module <NUM> is configured to receive a configuration indicating resources (e.g., mini-RBs) and a frequency distribution mode (e.g., mini-RBs formed from contiguous subcarriers or distributed subcarriers) of the resources for communicating a communication signal (e.g., a PUSCH signal), map the communication signal to the resources for transmissions, generate a reference signal (e.g., a DMRS) to facilitate the demodulation and decoding of the communication signal at a receiver, apply scrambling codes to the reference signal, and/or apply spreading codes to the communication signal, as described in greater detail herein.

As shown, the transceiver <NUM> may include the modem subsystem <NUM> and the RF unit <NUM>. The transceiver <NUM> can be configured to communicate bi-directionally with other devices, such as the BSs <NUM>. The modem subsystem <NUM> may be configured to modulate and/or encode the data from the memory <NUM>, and/or the sequence generation and mapping module <NUM> according to a modulation and coding scheme (MCS), e.g., a low-density parity check (LDPC) coding scheme, a turbo coding scheme, a convolutional coding scheme, a digital beamforming scheme, etc. The RF unit <NUM> may be configured to process (e.g., perform analog to digital conversion or digital to analog conversion, etc.) modulated/encoded data from the modem subsystem <NUM> (on outbound transmissions) or of transmissions originating from another source such as a UE <NUM> or a BS <NUM>. The RF unit <NUM> may be further configured to perform analog beamforming in conjunction with the digital beamforming. Although shown as integrated together in transceiver <NUM>, the modem subsystem <NUM> and the RF unit <NUM> may be separate devices that are coupled together at the UE <NUM> to enable the UE <NUM> to communicate with other devices.

The RF unit <NUM> may provide the modulated and/or processed data, e.g. data packets (or, more generally, data messages that may contain one or more data packets and other information), to the antennas <NUM> for transmission to one or more other devices. This may include, for example, transmission of communication signals using mini-RBs having contiguous subcarriers, evenly spaced subcarriers, or unevenly spaced subcarriers according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The antennas <NUM> may further receive data messages transmitted from other devices. The antennas <NUM> may provide the received data messages for processing and/or demodulation at the transceiver <NUM>. The antennas <NUM> may include multiple antennas of similar or different designs in order to sustain multiple transmission links. The RF unit <NUM> may configure the antennas <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram of an exemplary BS <NUM> according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The BS <NUM> may be a BS <NUM> as discussed above. A shown, the BS <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a resource configuration module <NUM>, a transceiver <NUM> including a modem subsystem <NUM> and a RF unit <NUM>, and one or more antennas <NUM>. These elements may be in direct or indirect communication with each other, for example via one or more buses.

The resource configuration module <NUM> may be implemented via hardware, software, or combinations thereof. For example, the resource configuration module <NUM> may be implemented as a processor, circuit, and/or instructions <NUM> stored in the memory <NUM> and executed by the processor <NUM>. The resource configuration module <NUM> may be used for various aspects of the present disclosure. According to the invention, the resource configuration module <NUM> is configured to assign resources (e.g., in units of mini-RBs) and a frequency distribution mode of the resources for UEs (e.g., the UEs <NUM> and <NUM>) to transmit communication signals (e.g., PUSCH signals) based on PSD requirements, number of scheduled UEs, number of scheduled transmission layers per UE, SCSs, determine a reference signal transmission configuration (e.g., time-frequency locations and/or a scrambling code) for each UEs, and/or determine a spreading factor (e.g., in a frequency domain or a time domain) for each UE, as described in greater detail herein.

As shown, the transceiver <NUM> may include the modem subsystem <NUM> and the RF unit <NUM>. The transceiver <NUM> can be configured to communicate bi-directionally with other devices, such as the UEs <NUM> and/or another core network element. The modem subsystem <NUM> may be configured to modulate and/or encode data according to a MCS, e.g., a LDPC coding scheme, a turbo coding scheme, a convolutional coding scheme, a digital beamforming scheme, etc. The RF unit <NUM> may be configured to process (e.g., perform analog to digital conversion or digital to analog conversion, etc.) modulated/encoded data from the modem subsystem <NUM> (on outbound transmissions) or of transmissions originating from another source such as a UE <NUM> or <NUM>. The RF unit <NUM> may be further configured to perform analog beamforming in conjunction with the digital beamforming. Although shown as integrated together in transceiver <NUM>, the modem subsystem <NUM> and the RF unit <NUM> may be separate devices that are coupled together at the BS <NUM> to enable the BS <NUM> to communicate with other devices.

The RF unit <NUM> may provide the modulated and/or processed data, e.g. data packets (or, more generally, data messages that may contain one or more data packets and other information), to the antennas <NUM> for transmission to one or more other devices. This may include, for example, transmission of information to complete attachment to a network and communication with a camped UE <NUM> or <NUM> according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The antennas <NUM> may further receive data messages transmitted from other devices and provide the received data messages for processing and/or demodulation at the transceiver <NUM>. The antennas <NUM> may include multiple antennas of similar or different designs in order to sustain multiple transmission links.

<FIG> illustrates a resource configuration scheme <NUM> with frequency interlaces according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The scheme <NUM> may be employed by BSs such as the BSs <NUM> and <NUM> and UEs such as the UEs <NUM> and <NUM> to communicate over a frequency spectrum <NUM>. In an embodiment, the frequency spectrum <NUM> may be an unlicensed spectrum. The frequency spectrum <NUM> may have any suitable bandwidth. In some embodiments, the frequency spectrum <NUM> may have a bandwidth of about <NUM> and an SCS of about <NUM> or about <NUM>. The frequency spectrum <NUM> may be located at any suitable frequencies. In some embodiments, the frequency spectrum <NUM> may be located at about <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. The scheme <NUM> allocates resources in units of frequency interlaces <NUM>.

The frequency interlaces are shown as <NUM>I(<NUM>) to <NUM>(L-<NUM>), where L is a positive integer. Each frequency interlace <NUM> may include Q plurality of RBs <NUM> evenly spaced over the frequency spectrum <NUM>, where Q is a positive integer. In other words, the RBs <NUM> in a particular frequency interlace <NUM>I(i) are spaced apart from each other by at least one other RB <NUM>, where i may vary between <NUM> and L-<NUM>. The values of Q and L may vary based on several factors, such as the bandwidth, the SCS, and/or the PSD limitation of the frequency spectrum <NUM>, as described in greater detail herein. In an embodiment, a BS may assign the frequency interlace <NUM>I(<NUM>) to one UE and assign the frequency interlace <NUM>I(<NUM>) to another UE. As an example, an allocation using the frequency interlace <NUM>I(<NUM>) are shown as pattern filled boxes.

A group of L localized RBs <NUM> forms a cluster <NUM>. As shown, the frequency interlaces <NUM>I(<NUM>) to <NUM>(L-<NUM>) form N clusters <NUM>C(<NUM>) to <NUM>C(Q-<NUM>). Each RB <NUM> may span about twelve contiguous subcarriers <NUM> in frequency and a time period <NUM>. The subcarriers <NUM> are indexed from <NUM> to <NUM>. The time period <NUM> may span any suitable number of OFDM symbols <NUM>. In some embodiments, the time period <NUM> may correspond to one transmission time interval (TTI), which may include about fourteen OFDM symbols <NUM>.

The number of clusters <NUM> or the value of Q may be dependent on the amount of frequency distribution required to maintain a certain PSD level. In an embodiment, the frequency spectrum <NUM> may have a bandwidth of about <NUM> and each subcarrier <NUM> may span about <NUM> in frequency. The scheme <NUM> may divide the frequency spectrum <NUM> into about ten clusters <NUM> (e.g., Q = <NUM>) with a maximum of five frequency interlaces <NUM> (e.g., L = <NUM>) and distribute an allocation over the ten clusters <NUM> to increase a frequency occupancy of the allocation. For example, an allocation may include one frequency interlace <NUM> having ten distributed or equally spaced RBs <NUM>. Compared to an allocation with a single RB or ten localized RBs, the interlaced allocation with the ten distributed RBs <NUM> allows a UE to transmit at a higher power while maintaining the same PSD level.

In another embodiment, the frequency spectrum <NUM> may have a bandwidth of about <NUM> and each subcarrier <NUM> may span about <NUM> in frequency. The scheme <NUM> may divide the frequency spectrum <NUM> into about five clusters <NUM> (e.g., Q = <NUM>) with a maximum of five frequency interlaces <NUM> (e.g., L = <NUM>). Similarly, an allocation may include one frequency interlace <NUM> having five distributed RBs <NUM>. The interlaced allocation with the five distributed RBs may allow for better power utilization than an allocation with a single RB or five localized RBs at the same PSD level.

The use of frequency interlacing to distribute an allocation into a wider bandwidth allows a transmitter to transmit at a higher power level than when an allocation occupies contiguous frequencies. As an example, the frequency spectrum <NUM> may have a maximum allowable PSD level of about <NUM> decibel-milliwatts per megahertz (dBm/MHz) and a transmitter (e.g., the UEs <NUM> and <NUM>) may have a power amplifier (PA) capable of transmitting at about <NUM> dBm. Distributing frequency occupancy of an allocation into five clusters <NUM> may allow the transmitter to transmit at about <NUM> dBm (e.g., with a power boost of about <NUM> dB) while maintaining a PSD level of about <NUM> dBm/MHz. Distributing frequency occupancy of an allocation into ten clusters <NUM> may allow the transmitter to transmit at a full power of about <NUM> dBm (e.g., with a power boost of about <NUM> dB) while maintaining a PSD level of about <NUM> dBm/MHz. Thus, the use of frequency interlacing can provide better power utilization.

In an embodiment, the scheme <NUM> may be applied to a PUSCH to provide a power boost at a UE's transmitter. A PUSCH is used to RRC signaling messages, uplink control information (UCI), and application data in an UL direction from a UE to a BS. For example, a BS may assign a UE to transmit a PUSCH signal using one frequency interlace <NUM> during a normal operation phase after the UE completed an initial network access. A PUSCH signal may have an OFDM waveform or an SC-FDM waveform.

While the scheme <NUM> may improve transmit power utilization at the UEs, the number of UEs that can be scheduled or multiplexed in the time period <NUM> may be reduced since each allocation includes a minimum of one frequency interlace <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate various resource configuration mechanisms that can allow a greater number of UEs to be scheduled or multiplexed within a scheduling period (e.g., the time period <NUM>). For example, resource allocations may be performed at a finer granularity than at a frequency interlace level. In <FIG>, the x-axes represent time in some constant units, and the y-axes represent frequency in some constant units.

<FIG> illustrates a resource configuration scheme <NUM> using mini-RBs according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The scheme <NUM> may be employed by BSs such as the BSs <NUM> and <NUM> and UEs such as the UEs <NUM> and <NUM> to communicate over the frequency spectrum <NUM>. To increase the number of UEs that can be scheduled or multiplexed within the time period <NUM>, the scheme <NUM> divides each RB <NUM> into N number of mini-RBs <NUM> and allocates resources in units of mini-RBs <NUM>, where N is a positive integer. As shown, the frequency spectrum <NUM> includes a plurality of RBs <NUM> and each RB <NUM> is divided into three mini-RBs <NUM> (e.g., N = <NUM>) indexed from <NUM> to <NUM>. Each mini-RB <NUM> includes a subset of four contiguous subcarriers <NUM> within the RB <NUM>. The number of mini-RBs <NUM> within a RB <NUM> may be preconfigured or determined at the time of scheduling, as described in greater detail herein.

As an example, an allocation with a frequency spreading over K number of RBs <NUM> satisfies a PSD parameter of the frequency spectrum <NUM>, where K is a positive integer. In the scheme <NUM>, an allocation <NUM> may include a set of mini-RBs <NUM> located within M number of distributed RBs <NUM>, where M is a positive integer greater than or equal to K. For example, the allocation <NUM> may include the mini-RB <NUM>mRB(<NUM>) located in each of the M RBs <NUM>. The mini-RB <NUM>mRB(<NUM>) in the allocation <NUM> are shown as pattern filled boxes. The arrow <NUM> indicates a first RB (e.g., the RB <NUM>RB(<NUM>)) of the M RBs <NUM> forming the allocation <NUM>. The arrow <NUM> indicates an Mth RB (e.g., the RB <NUM>RB(P), where P is a positive integer) of the M of RBs <NUM> forming the allocation <NUM>. The allocation <NUM> may include one or more RBs <NUM> between the RB <NUM>RB(<NUM>) and RB <NUM>RB(P), shown as RB <NUM>RB(i), where i is a positive integer between <NUM> and P.

In an embodiment, the M distributed RBs <NUM> in the allocation <NUM> may be evenly spaced over the frequency spectrum <NUM>. In such an embodiment, the allocation <NUM> may be used for transmitting an OFDM signal or an SC-FDM signal.

In an embodiment, the M distributed RBs <NUM> in the allocation <NUM> may be distributed over the frequency spectrum <NUM> spaced apart from each other by any suitable number of RBs <NUM>. For example, the M distributed RBs <NUM> may be unevenly spaced over the frequency spectrum <NUM>. In such an embodiment, the allocation <NUM> may be used for transmitting an OFDM signal.

In an embodiment, the assignment for the allocation <NUM> may indicate the M RBs <NUM> and the particular mini-RB <NUM> within each of the M RBs <NUM>. For example, an N-bit bitmap may be used to indicate the assignment of the mini-RBs <NUM>, where each bit in the bitmap may correspond to one of the mini-RBs <NUM> in a RB <NUM>. A particular mini-RB <NUM> within a RB <NUM> may be indicated by setting a corresponding bit value to <NUM>. Alternatively, the assignment may use a reduced-form, a compressed-form of the N-bit bitmap, or any other suitable format. As an example, a UE may receive a PUSCH allocation indicating M RBs <NUM> and a bitmap indicating the particular mini-RB <NUM> assigned within each of the M RBs <NUM> for the PUSCH allocation. As can be seen, the scheme <NUM> employs a finer allocation granularity (e.g., at a mini-RB level) to allow a greater number of UEs to be scheduled over a set of resources.

<FIG> illustrates a resource configuration scheme <NUM> using mini-RBs according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The scheme <NUM> may be employed by BSs such as the BSs <NUM> and <NUM> and UEs such as the UEs <NUM> and <NUM> to communicate over a frequency spectrum <NUM>. The scheme <NUM> may be employed when the SCS in the frequency spectrum <NUM> is sufficiently large. For example, the frequency spectrum <NUM> may have an SCS of about <NUM> or greater than <NUM>. When the SCS is sufficiently large, the allowable transmit power for a certain PSD requirement may be less limited. Thus, the scheme <NUM> may assign each UE with an allocation <NUM> with mini-RBs <NUM> located within M contiguous or localized RBs <NUM> (e.g., the RBs <NUM>RB(<NUM>) to <NUM>RB(M-<NUM>)) instead of M distributed RBs <NUM> as in the scheme <NUM>. The allocation <NUM> may be used for transmitting an OFDM signal or an SC-FDM signal.

<FIG> illustrates a resource configuration scheme <NUM> using mini-RBs according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The scheme <NUM> may be employed by BSs such as the BSs <NUM> and <NUM> and UEs such as the UEs <NUM> and <NUM> to communicate over a frequency spectrum <NUM>. The scheme <NUM> is substantially similar to the scheme <NUM>, but may allocate mini-RBs <NUM> formed from distributed subcarriers <NUM> instead of contiguous subcarriers <NUM> as in the mini-RBs <NUM>. As an example, in the scheme <NUM>, an allocation <NUM> may include a mini-RB <NUM>mRB(<NUM>) formed from subcarriers <NUM> indexed <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of each of the M distributed RBs <NUM>, as shown by the pattern filled boxes. The allocation <NUM> may be used for transmitting an OFDM signal. When an allocation includes mini-RBs formed from evenly spaced subcarriers <NUM>, for example, indexed <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> as shown, the allocation may be used for transmitting an OFDM signal or an SC-FDM signal. While the mini-RB <NUM> is illustrated with evenly spaced subcarriers <NUM>, the mini-RB <NUM> may be alternatively configured to include unevenly spaced subcarriers <NUM> within a RB <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a resource configuration scheme <NUM> using mini-RBs according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The scheme <NUM> may be employed by BSs such as the BSs <NUM> and <NUM> and UEs such as the UEs <NUM> and <NUM> to communicate over a frequency spectrum <NUM>. The scheme <NUM> is substantially similar to the scheme <NUM>, but may allocate mini-RBs <NUM> formed from distributed subcarriers <NUM> instead of contiguous subcarriers <NUM> as in the mini-RBs <NUM>. As an example, in the scheme <NUM>, an allocation <NUM> may include a mini-RB <NUM>mRB(<NUM>) formed from subcarriers <NUM> indexed <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of each of the M contiguous RBs <NUM>, as shown by the pattern filled boxes. The allocation <NUM> may be used for transmitting an OFDM signal or an SC-FDM signal.

To further multiplex or schedule a greater number of UEs (e.g., the UEs <NUM> and <NUM>) within a scheduling period (e.g., the time period <NUM>), a BS (e.g., the BSs <NUM> and <NUM>) may communicate with a set of UEs using multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO). For example, a BS may schedule a set of UEs on the same resources (e.g., a set of mini-RBs <NUM>mRB(i) or <NUM>mRB(i)). In some instances, a BS may schedule different UEs for different transmission layers or antenna ports. To enable channel equalization and demodulation at the BS, the UEs may transmit transmission layer-specific or port-specific reference signals (e.g., DMRSs) in corresponding transmission layers. <FIG> illustrate various reference signal structures for use with allocations (e.g., the allocations <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) having mini-RBs (e.g., the mini-RBs <NUM> and <NUM>). In <FIG>, the x-axes represent time in units of symbols, and the y-axes represent frequency in units of subcarriers.

<FIG> illustrates a reference signal configuration scheme <NUM> with mini-RB allocations according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The scheme <NUM> may be employed by BSs such as the BSs <NUM> and <NUM> and UEs such as the UEs <NUM> and <NUM> to communicate over a frequency spectrum <NUM>. The RB <NUM>RB(<NUM>) is shown as a time-frequency resource grids spanning twelve subcarriers <NUM> in frequency and fourteen symbols <NUM> in time. The twelve subcarriers <NUM> are indexed from <NUM> to <NUM>. The symbols <NUM> are indexed from <NUM> to <NUM>. The first two symbols <NUM> (e.g., indexed <NUM> and <NUM>) may be referred to as a control region <NUM> reserved for control information transmission from a BS. The remaining symbols <NUM> (e.g., indexed <NUM> to <NUM>) may be referred to as a data region <NUM> where data transmissions may be scheduled. The scheme <NUM> may designate one symbol <NUM> (e.g., indexed <NUM>) in the data region <NUM> for a reference signal transmission.

The scheme <NUM> illustrates multiplexing of four port-specific reference signals <NUM> in a RB <NUM>RB(<NUM>) over the symbol <NUM> indexed <NUM>. For example, the reference signals 910a, 910b, 910c, and 910d correspond to antenna ports <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, respectively. Each reference signal <NUM> may include a predetermined sequence such as a Zadoff-Chu sequence. Reference signals <NUM> that are mapped to the same resources may be scrambled with orthogonal codes to enable a receiver to detect and distinguish the different reference signals <NUM> received from the same resources.

As shown, the reference signals 910a (e.g., on port <NUM>) and 910b (e.g., on port <NUM>) are mapped onto the same subcarriers <NUM> indexed <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The reference signal 910a is scrambled with a first code, denoted as [+, +, +, +, +, +]. The reference signal 910b is scrambled with a second code, denoted as [+, -, +, -, +, -], orthogonal to the first code. Similarly, the reference signals 910c (e.g., port <NUM>) and 910d (e.g., port <NUM>) are mapped onto the same subcarriers <NUM> indexed <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The reference signal 910c is scrambled with the first code and the reference signal 910d is scrambled with second code.

The reference signal structure shown in <FIG> may correspond to a one-symbol reference signal structure used in a licensed band (e.g., an NR band). In an embodiment, a BS may schedule a UE to transmit using antenna port <NUM> during a mini-RB <NUM>mRB(<NUM>) with contiguous subcarriers <NUM>. The UE may reuse the one-symbol reference signal structure for reference signal transmission. For example, the UE may transmit a reference signal during the symbol <NUM> indexed <NUM> using the subcarriers <NUM> indexed <NUM> and <NUM> corresponding to a portion of the reference signal 910a as shown by the dashed boxes <NUM>. The UE may transmit a communication signal (e.g., a PUSCH signal) during the symbols indexed <NUM> to <NUM> using the subcarriers <NUM> indexed <NUM> to <NUM> in the mini-RB <NUM>mRB(<NUM>), as shown by the dashed box <NUM>.

In an embodiment, different scrambling codes may be applied to reference signals in different mini-RBs <NUM>, for example, based on a frequency location of a mini-RB <NUM>. In some instances, the scrambling code for a mini-RB <NUM> may be defined as a function of a mini-RB offset or index. For example, the mini-RB <NUM>mRB(<NUM>) may have an offset or index of <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a reference signal configuration scheme <NUM> with mini-RB allocations according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The scheme <NUM> may be employed by BSs such as the BSs <NUM> and <NUM> and UEs such as the UEs <NUM> and <NUM> to communicate over a frequency spectrum <NUM>. The scheme <NUM> is substantially similar to the scheme <NUM>, but illustrates reference signal transmissions with a mini-RB <NUM> having distributed subcarriers <NUM>. For example, a BS may schedule a UE to transmit using antenna port <NUM> during a mini-RB <NUM>mRB(<NUM>). Similarly, the UE may reuse the one-symbol reference signal structure for reference signal transmission.

For example, the UE may transmit a reference signal during the symbol <NUM> indexed <NUM> using the subcarriers <NUM> indexed <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> corresponding to the reference signal 910a as shown by the dashed boxes <NUM>. The UE may transmit a communication signal (e.g., a PUSCH signal) during the symbols indexed <NUM> to <NUM> using the subcarriers <NUM> indexed <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> in the mini-RB <NUM>mRB(<NUM>) as shown by the dashed box <NUM>. In other words, the UE may transmit a reference signal using a greater bandwidth than the assigned mini-RB <NUM>mRB(<NUM>), where the reference signal may be mapped to subcarriers <NUM> outside the min-RB <NUM>mRB(<NUM>). In an embodiment, different UEs may use different scrambling codes for reference signal transmissions. In an embodiment, different UEs transmitting on frequency-division multiplexed (FDM) reference signal ports may use different scrambling code.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a reference signal configuration scheme <NUM> with mini-RB allocations according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The scheme <NUM> may be employed by BSs such as the BSs <NUM> and <NUM> and UEs such as the UEs <NUM> and <NUM> to communicate over a frequency spectrum <NUM>. The scheme <NUM> is substantially similar to the scheme <NUM>, but designates two symbols <NUM> from the data region <NUM> for reference signal transmissions. The scheme <NUM> illustrates the multiplexing of eight reference signals <NUM> in a RB <NUM>RB(<NUM>) over two symbols <NUM> (e.g., indexed <NUM> and <NUM>). Each reference signal <NUM> may correspond to a particular antenna port. For example, the reference signals 1110a, 1110b, 1110c, 1110d, 1110e, 1110f, <NUM>, and <NUM> correspond to antenna ports <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, respectively. Each reference signal <NUM> may include a predetermined sequence. Reference signals <NUM> that are mapped to the same resources may be scrambled with orthogonal codes to enable a receiver to detect and distinguish the different signals <NUM> from the same resources.

As shown, the reference signals 1110a (e.g., on port <NUM>), 1110c (e.g., on port <NUM>), 1110e (e.g., on port <NUM>), and <NUM> (e.g., on port <NUM>) are mapped to the same subcarriers <NUM> indexed <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The reference signal 1110a is scrambled with a first code, denoted as {[+, +, +, +, +, +] [+, +, +, +, +, +]}. The reference signal 1110c is scrambled with a second code {[+, +, +, +, +, +] [-, -, -, -, -, -]}. The reference signal 1110e is scrambled with a third code {[+, -, +, -, +, -] [+, -, +, -, +, -]}. The reference signal <NUM> is scrambled with a fourth code {[+, -, +, -, +, -] [ -, +, -, +, -, +]}. The first, second, third, and fourth codes are orthogonal to each other. Similarly, the reference signals 1110b, 1110d, 1110f, and <NUM> are mapped to the same subcarriers <NUM> indexed <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and scrambled with the first, second, third, and fourth codes, respectively.

The reference signal structure shown in <FIG> and <FIG> may correspond to a two-symbol reference signal structure used in a licensed band (e.g., an NR band). In an embodiment, a BS may schedule a UE to transmit using antenna port <NUM> during a mini-RB <NUM>mRB(<NUM>) with contiguous subcarriers <NUM>. The UE may reuse the two-symbol reference signal structure for reference signal transmission. For example, the UE may transmit a reference signal during the symbols <NUM> indexed <NUM> and <NUM> using the subcarriers <NUM> indexed <NUM> and <NUM> corresponding to a portion of the reference signal 1110e as shown by the dashed boxes <NUM>. The UE may transmit a communication signal (e.g., a PUSCH signal) during the symbols indexed <NUM> to <NUM> using the subcarriers <NUM> indexed <NUM> to <NUM> in the mini-RB <NUM>mRB(<NUM>) as shown by the dashed box <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrates a reference signal configuration scheme <NUM> with mini-RB allocations according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The scheme <NUM> may be employed by BSs such as the BSs <NUM> and <NUM> and UEs such as the UEs <NUM> and <NUM> to communicate over a frequency spectrum <NUM>. The scheme <NUM> is substantially similar to the scheme <NUM>, but illustrates reference signal transmissions with mini-RB <NUM> having distributed subcarriers <NUM>. For example, a BS may schedule a UE to transmit using antenna port <NUM> during a mini-RB <NUM>mRB(<NUM>). Similarly, the UE may reuse the two-symbol reference signal structure for reference signal transmission. For example, the UE may transmit a reference signal during the symbol <NUM> indexed <NUM> and <NUM> using the subcarriers <NUM> indexed <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> corresponding to the reference signal 1110e as shown by the dashed boxes <NUM>. The UE may transmit a communication signal (e.g., a PUSCH signal) during the symbols indexed <NUM> to <NUM> using the subcarriers <NUM> indexed <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> in the mini-RB <NUM>mRB(<NUM>) as shown by the dashed box <NUM>.

While the schemes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are illustrated with reference signal transmissions on one or two symbols, the number of symbols for reference signal transmissions may be increased to improve processing gain. In addition, the reference signals may include any suitable sequences and may be scrambled with any suitable orthogonal codes. Further, while the schemes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> map a reference signal of a particular transmission layer or port to even subcarriers <NUM> or odd subcarriers <NUM>, the reference signals may be configured to include any suitable frequency and/or time distribution patterns.

To further multiplex or schedule a greater number of UEs (e.g., the UEs <NUM> and <NUM>) within a scheduling period (e.g., the time period <NUM>), a BS (e.g., the BSs <NUM> and <NUM>) may assign multiple UEs to transmit on the same set of resources (e.g., the mini-RBs <NUM> and <NUM>), but with different spreading codes or factors in time or in frequency. <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate various CDM mechanisms for use with allocations (e.g., the allocations <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) having mini-RBs (e.g., the mini-RBs <NUM> and <NUM>). In <FIG> and <FIG>, the x-axes represent time in units of symbols, and the y-axes represent frequency in some constant units.

<FIG> illustrates a frequency-domain CDM scheme <NUM> for transmissions using mini-RBs according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The scheme <NUM> may be employed by BSs such as the BSs <NUM> and <NUM> and UEs such as the UEs <NUM> and <NUM> to communicate over a frequency spectrum <NUM>. For example, a BS may schedule multiple UEs to transmit on the same resources, but with different spreading factors in a frequency domain. As shown, a BS may schedule a UE A and a UE B to transmit on the same mini-RB <NUM>mRB(<NUM>). The BS may assign the UE A with a spreading factor <NUM>, denoted as [+, +, +, +]. The BS may assign the UE B with a spreading factor <NUM>, denoted as [-, -, -, -], that is orthogonal to the spreading factor <NUM>. Thus, the UE A may generate a communication signal (e.g., a PUSCH signal) for transmission in the mini-RB <NUM>mRB(<NUM>) by applying the spreading factor <NUM> to each symbol <NUM>, for example, indexed <NUM> to <NUM>, as shown in the view <NUM>. Similarly, the UE B may generate a communication signal (e.g., a PUSCH signal) for transmission by applying the spreading factor <NUM> to each symbol <NUM>, for example, indexed <NUM> to <NUM>, as shown in the view <NUM>. The scheme <NUM> may be suitable for use with signals including an OFDM waveform or an SC-FDM waveform. While the scheme <NUM> is illustrated with mini-RB-based allocations (e.g., including mini-RBs <NUM> or <NUM>), the scheme <NUM> may be suitable for use with RB-based allocations (e.g., including RBs <NUM>).

<FIG> illustrates a time-domain CDM scheme <NUM> for transmissions using mini-RBs according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The scheme <NUM> may be employed by BSs such as the BSs <NUM> and <NUM> and UEs such as the UEs <NUM> and <NUM> to communicate over a frequency spectrum <NUM>. For example, a BS may schedule multiple UEs to transmit on the same resources, but with different spreading factors in a time domain. As shown, a BS may schedule a UE A and a UE B to transmit on the same mini-RB <NUM> mRB(<NUM>). The BS may assign the UE A with a spreading factor <NUM>, denoted as {[+, +, +, +] [+, +, +, +]}. The BS may assign the UE B with a spreading factor <NUM>, denoted as{ {[+, +, +, +] [-, -, -, -]} that is orthogonal to the spreading factor <NUM>. Thus, the UE A may generate a communication signal (e.g., a PUSCH signal) for transmission in the mini-RB <NUM>mRB(<NUM>) by applying the spreading factor <NUM> to each pair of adjacent symbols <NUM>, for example, indexed <NUM> to <NUM>, as shown in the view <NUM>. Similarly, UE B may generate a communication signal (e.g., a PUSCH signal) for transmission in the mini-RB <NUM>mRB(<NUM>) by applying the spreading factor <NUM> to each pair of adjacent symbols <NUM>, for example, indexed <NUM> to <NUM>, as shown in the view <NUM>. The scheme <NUM> may be applied to PUSCH signals with an OFDM waveform.

While the schemes <NUM> and <NUM> are illustrated with mini-RBs having contiguous subcarriers, similar CDM mechanisms may be applied to mini-RBs having distributed subcarriers such as the mini-RBs <NUM>. In addition, the schemes <NUM> and <NUM> may be applied to allocations with mini-RBs located within a set of localized RBs or a set of distributed RBs. Further, the schemes <NUM> and <NUM> may employ any suitable spreading factors for the CDM.

The resource allocation schemes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> described above with respect to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, respectively, may be used in conjunction with the reference signal transmission schemes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> described above with respect to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, and/or the CDM schemes <NUM>, and <NUM> described above with respect to <FIG>, and <FIG> respectively.

<FIG> is a signaling diagram of a communication method <NUM> using mini-RBs according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The method <NUM> is implemented among a BS, a UE A, and a UE B. The BS may be similar to the BSs <NUM> and <NUM>. The UEs A and B may be similar to the UEs <NUM> and <NUM>. Steps of the method <NUM> can be executed by computing devices (e.g., a processor, processing circuit, and/or other suitable component) of the BS and the UEs A and B. As illustrated, the method <NUM> includes a number of enumerated steps, but embodiments of the method <NUM> may include additional steps before, after, and in between the enumerated steps. In some embodiments, one or more of the enumerated steps may be omitted or performed in a different order.

At step <NUM>, the BS determines a configuration A for the UE A and a configuration B for the UE B to transmit in a frequency spectrum (e.g., the frequency spectrum <NUM>) during a scheduling period (e.g., the time period <NUM>). The BS may determine the configuration A and the configuration B based on a number of UEs to be scheduled for communicating in the scheduling period, a number of transmission layers or antenna ports per scheduled UE, a waveform type for the scheduled transmission (e.g., OFDM waveform or SC-FDM waveform), a SCS for the transmissions (e.g., about <NUM> or about <NUM>), and/or a PSD requirement of the frequency spectrum. The BS may assign resources to the UE A and the UE B in units of mini-RBs (e.g., the mini-RBs <NUM> and <NUM>) by employing the schemes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> described with respect to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, or <FIG>, respectively. For example, the BS may assign the UE A and the UE B on different sets of mini-RBs. Alternatively, the BS may assign the UE A and the UE B on the same set of mini-RBs, but with different spreading factors by employing the schemes <NUM> or <NUM> described with respect to <FIG> or <FIG>, respectively, or on different transmission layers. The BS may assign scrambling codes for the UE A and the UE B to transmit reference signals on the same resources by employing the schemes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> described with respect to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, or <FIG>, respectively.

At step <NUM>, the BS transmits the configuration A to the UE A. The configuration A may indicate resources, scrambling codes for reference signal transmissions, and/or spreading factors and/or a waveform type for data transmissions (e.g., PUSCH signals). The resources may be indicated using a bitmap, for example, representing a set of mini-RBs within a set of RBs (e.g., the RBs <NUM>).

At step <NUM>, the BS transmits the configuration B to the UE B. The configuration B may indicate similar types of information as the configuration A.

At step <NUM>, the UE A may transmit a communication signal A (e.g., a PUSCH signal) to the BS based on the configuration A.

At step <NUM>, the UE B may transmit a communication signal B (e.g., a PUSCH signal) to the BS based on the configuration B.

In an embodiment, a transport block size (TBS) for a transmission with a mini-RB-based allocation (e.g., the allocations <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) may be computed as shown below: <MAT> where Nmini-RB represents the number of mini-RBs (e.g., the mini-RBs <NUM> and <NUM>) in the allocation, <MAT> represents the number of subcarriers (e.g., the subcarriers <NUM>) in each mini-RB, v represents the number of transmission layers, Qm represents the modulation order, and R represents the coding rate.

In an embodiment, a TBS for a transmission with an RB-based allocation (e.g., including RBs <NUM>) in conjunction with CDM may be computed as shown below: <MAT> where NPRB represents the number of RBs (e.g., the RBs <NUM>) in the allocation and <MAT> represents the number of subcarriers (e.g., the subcarriers <NUM>) in each RB.

In an embodiment, a TBS for a transmission with a mini-RB-based allocation (e.g., the allocations <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) in conjunction with CDM may be computed as shown below: <MAT> where N represents the length of the spreading codes (e.g., the spreading factors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>).

<FIG> is a flow diagram of a communication method <NUM> using mini-RBs according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Steps of the method <NUM> can be executed by a computing device (e.g., a processor, processing circuit, and/or other suitable component) of a wireless communication device, such as the BSs <NUM> and <NUM> and the UEs <NUM> and <NUM>. The method <NUM> may employ similar mechanisms as in the schemes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and the method <NUM> described with respect to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, respectively. As illustrated, the method <NUM> includes a number of enumerated steps, but embodiments of the method <NUM> may include additional steps before, after, and in between the enumerated steps. In some embodiments, one or more of the enumerated steps may be omitted or performed in a different order.

At step <NUM>, the method <NUM> includes obtaining, by a first wireless communication device, a configuration for communicating a communication signal (e.g., a PUSCH signal) in a frequency spectrum (e.g., the frequency spectrum <NUM>). The communication signal may include an OFDM waveform or an SC-FDM waveform. The configuration may be obtained based on at least a number of wireless communication devices scheduled to communicate in a time period (e.g., the time period <NUM>), a number of transmission layers per scheduled wireless communication device. The configuration may indicate resources (e.g., mini-RBs <NUM> and <NUM>) and a frequency distribution mode of the resources.

For example, the resources are located within K plurality of RBs (e.g., the RBs <NUM>) in the frequency spectrum over the time period, where a frequency spreading over M of the K plurality of RBs satisfies a PSD parameter of the frequency spectrum. K and M are positive integers and K may be greater than or equal to M. In an embodiment, the resources include a set of contiguous subcarriers (e.g., the mini-RBs <NUM>) in each of the K RBs, which may include be contiguous, evenly spaced, or unevenly spaced in the frequency spectrum. In an embodiment, the resources include a set of distributed subcarriers (e.g., the mini-RBs <NUM>) in each of the K RBs, which may be contiguous, evenly spaced, unevenly spaced in the frequency spectrum, and the set of distributed subcarriers are spaced apart from each other by at least one other subcarrier.

At step <NUM>, the method <NUM> includes communicating, by the first wireless communication device with a second wireless communication device, the communication signal in the frequency spectrum during the time period based on the configuration.

In an embodiment, the first wireless communication device may correspond to a BS and the second wireless communication device may correspond to a UE. In such an embodiment, the obtaining may include determining, by the first wireless communication device, the resources and the frequency distribution mode based on a PSD parameter of the frequency spectrum, a waveform (e.g., an OFDM waveform or an SC-FDM waveform) of the communication signal, and/or a SCS (e.g., <NUM> or <NUM>) used for communicating with the second wireless communication device. The scheduled wireless communication devices may include the second wireless communication device. The communicating the communication signal may include receiving, by the first wireless communication device from the second wireless communication device, the communication signal. The method <NUM> may further include transmitting, by the first wireless communication device to the second wireless communication device, the configuration.

In an embodiment, the first wireless communication device may correspond to a UE and the second wireless communication device may correspond to a BS. In such an embodiment, the obtaining may include receiving, by the first wireless communication device from the second wireless communication device, the configuration. The communicating the communication signal may include transmitting, by the first wireless communication device to the second wireless communication device, the communication signal.

In some embodiments, the method <NUM> may further include communicating, by the first wireless communication device with the second wireless communication device, a reference signal (e.g., the reference signals <NUM> and <NUM>) during one or more time symbols (e.g., the symbols <NUM>) within the time period. In such embodiments, the communication signal is communicated during one or more other time symbols within the time period, for example, as shown in the schemes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. In some embodiments, the reference signal may be communicated using at least one subcarrier outside the resources, for example, as shown in the schemes <NUM> and <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the communicating the communication signal is based on CMD in at least one of a time domain or a frequency domain with another communication signal transmitted by a third wireless communication device using the resources, for example, as shown in the schemes <NUM> and <NUM>.

Further embodiments of the present disclosure include a method of wireless communication, comprising obtaining, by a first wireless communication device, a configuration for communicating a communication signal in a frequency spectrum, wherein the configuration is based on at least a number of wireless communication devices scheduled to communicate in a time period and indicates resources in the frequency spectrum over the time period and a frequency distribution mode of the resources; and communicating, by the first wireless communication device with a second wireless communication device, the communication signal in the frequency spectrum during the time period based on the configuration.

In some embodiments, wherein the obtaining includes determining, by the first wireless communication device, the resources and the frequency distribution mode based on a power spectral density (PSD) parameter of the frequency spectrum, and wherein the scheduled wireless communication devices include the second wireless communication device. In some embodiments, wherein the obtaining includes determining, by the first wireless communication device, the resources and the frequency distribution mode based on at least one of a number of transmission layers scheduled for each of the scheduled wireless communication devices, a waveform of the communication signal, or a subcarrier spacing used for communicating with the second wireless communication device. In some embodiments, wherein the communicating includes communicating a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) signal using the resources. In some embodiments, wherein the resources are located within K plurality of resource blocks (RBs) in the frequency spectrum over the time period, wherein a frequency spreading over M of the K plurality of RBs satisfies a power spectral density (PSD) parameter of the frequency spectrum, wherein K and M are positive integers, and wherein K is greater than or equal to M. In some embodiments, wherein the resources include a set of contiguous subcarriers. In some embodiments, wherein the resources include a set of distributed subcarriers spaced apart from each by at least one other subcarrier. In some embodiments, the method further comprises communicating, by the first wireless communication device with the second wireless communication device, a reference signal during one or more time symbols within the time period. In some embodiments, wherein the communication signal is communicated during one or more other time symbols within the time period. In some embodiments, wherein the resources include a set of subcarriers, and wherein the reference signal is communicated using at least one subcarrier outside the resources. In some embodiments, wherein the resources include a set of subcarriers within each of a plurality of resource blocks (RBs), and wherein the reference signal is communicated based on a scrambling code that is based on at least a frequency location of the set of subcarriers. In some embodiments, wherein the communicating is based on a code-division multiplexing in at least one of a time domain or a frequency domain with another communication signal transmitted by a third wireless communication device using the resources. In some embodiments, the method further comprises transmitting, by the first wireless communication device to the second wireless communication device, the configuration, wherein the communicating includes receiving, by the first wireless communication device from the second wireless communication device, the communication signal. In some embodiments, wherein the obtaining includes receiving, by the first wireless communication device from the second wireless communication device, the configuration, and wherein the communicating includes transmitting, by the first wireless communication device to the second wireless communication device, the communication signal.

Further embodiments of the present disclosure include an apparatus comprising a processor configured to obtain a configuration for communicating a communication signal in a frequency spectrum, wherein the configuration is based on at least a number of wireless communication devices scheduled to communicate in a time period and indicates resources in the frequency spectrum over the time period and a frequency distribution mode of the resources; and a transceiver configured to communicate, with a second wireless communication device, the communication signal in the frequency spectrum during the time period based on the configuration.

In some embodiments, wherein the processor is further configured to obtain the configuration by determining the resources and the frequency distribution mode based on a power spectral density (PSD) parameter of the frequency spectrum, and wherein the scheduled wireless communication devices include the second wireless communication device. In some embodiments, wherein the processor is further configured to obtain the configuration by determining the resources and the frequency distribution mode based on at least one of a number of transmission layers scheduled for each of the scheduled wireless communication devices, a waveform of the communication signal, or a subcarrier spacing used for communicating with the second wireless communication device. In some embodiments, wherein the transceiver is further configured to communicate the communication signal by communicating a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) signal using the resources. In some embodiments, wherein the resources are located within K plurality of resource blocks (RBs) in the frequency spectrum over the time period, wherein a frequency spreading over M of the K plurality of RBs satisfies a power spectral density (PSD) parameter of the frequency spectrum, wherein K and M are positive integers, and wherein K is greater than or equal to M. In some embodiments, wherein the resources include a set of contiguous subcarriers. In some embodiments, wherein the resources include a set of distributed subcarriers spaced apart from each by at least one other subcarrier. In some embodiments, wherein the transceiver is further configured to communicate, with the second wireless communication device, a reference signal during one or more time symbols within the time period. In some embodiments, wherein the communication signal is communicated during one or more other time symbols within the time period. In some embodiments, wherein the resources include a set of subcarriers, and wherein the reference signal is communicated using at least one subcarrier outside the resources. In some embodiments, wherein the resources include a set of subcarriers within each of a plurality of resource blocks (RBs), and wherein the reference signal is communicated based on a scrambling code that is based on at least a frequency location of the set of subcarriers. In some embodiments, wherein the transceiver is further configured to communicate the communication signal based on a code-division multiplexing in at least one of a time domain or a frequency domain with another communication signal transmitted by a third wireless communication device using the resources. In some embodiments, wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit, to the second wireless communication device, the configuration; and communicate the communication signal by receiving, from the second wireless communication device, the communication signal. In some embodiments, wherein the processor is further configured to obtain the configuration by receiving, from the second wireless communication device via the transceiver, the configuration, and wherein the transceiver is further configured to communicate the communication signal by transmitting, to the second wireless communication device, the communication signal.

Further embodiments of the present disclosure include a computer-readable medium having program code recorded thereon, the program code comprising code for causing a first wireless communication device to obtain a configuration for communicating a communication signal in a frequency spectrum, wherein the configuration is based on at least a number of wireless communication devices scheduled to communicate in a time period and indicates resources in the frequency spectrum over the time period and a frequency distribution mode of the resources; and code for causing the first wireless communication device to communicate, with a second wireless communication device, the communication signal in the frequency spectrum during the time period based on the configuration.

In some embodiments, wherein the code for causing the first wireless communication device to obtain the configuration is further configured to determine the resources and the frequency distribution mode based on a power spectral density (PSD) parameter of the frequency spectrum, and wherein the scheduled wireless communication devices include the second wireless communication device. In some embodiments, wherein the code for causing the first wireless communication device to obtain the configuration is further configured to determine the resources and the frequency distribution mode based on at least one of a number of transmission layers scheduled for each of the scheduled wireless communication devices, a waveform of the communication signal, or a subcarrier spacing used for communicating with the second wireless communication device. In some embodiments, wherein the code for causing the first wireless communication device to communicate the communication signal is further configured to communicate a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) signal using the resources. In some embodiments, wherein the resources are located within K plurality of resource blocks (RBs) in the frequency spectrum over the time period, wherein a frequency spreading over M of the K plurality of RBs satisfies a power spectral density (PSD) parameter of the frequency spectrum, wherein K and M are positive integers, and wherein K is greater than or equal to M. In some embodiments, wherein the resources include a set of contiguous subcarriers. In some embodiments, wherein the resources include a set of distributed subcarriers spaced apart from each by at least one other subcarrier. In some embodiments, the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the first wireless communication device to communicate, with the second wireless communication device, a reference signal during one or more time symbols within the time period. In some embodiments, wherein the communication signal is communicated during one or more other time symbols within the time period. In some embodiments, wherein the resources include a set of subcarriers, and wherein the reference signal is communicated using at least one subcarrier outside the resources. In some embodiments, wherein the resources include a set of subcarriers within each of a plurality of resource blocks (RBs), and wherein the reference signal is communicated based on a scrambling code that is based on at least a frequency location of the set of subcarriers. In some embodiments, wherein the code for causing the first wireless communication device to communicate the communication signal is further configured to communicate the communication signal based on a code-division multiplexing in at least one of a time domain or a frequency domain with another communication signal transmitted by a third wireless communication device using the resources. In some embodiments, the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the first wireless communication device to transmit, to the second wireless communication device, the configuration, wherein the code for causing the first wireless communication device to communicate the communication signal is further configured to receive, from the second wireless communication device, the communication signal. In some embodiments, wherein the code for causing the first wireless communication device to obtain the configuration is further configured to receive, from the second wireless communication device, the configuration, and wherein the code for causing the first wireless communication device to communicate the communication signal is further configured to transmit, to the second wireless communication device, the communication signal.

Further embodiments of the present disclosure include an apparatus comprising means for obtaining a configuration for communicating a communication signal in a frequency spectrum, wherein the configuration is based on at least a number of wireless communication devices scheduled to communicate in a time period and indicates resources in the frequency spectrum over the time period and a frequency distribution mode of the resources; and means for communicating, with a second wireless communication device, the communication signal in the frequency spectrum during the time period based on the configuration.

In some embodiments, wherein the means for obtaining the configuration is further configured to determine the resources and the frequency distribution mode based on a power spectral density (PSD) parameter of the frequency spectrum, and wherein the scheduled wireless communication devices include the second wireless communication device. In some embodiments, wherein the means for obtaining the configuration is further configured to determine the resources and the frequency distribution mode based on at least one of a number of transmission layers scheduled for each of the scheduled wireless communication devices, a waveform of the communication signal, or a subcarrier spacing used for communicating with the second wireless communication device. In some embodiments, wherein the means for communicating the communication signal is further configured to communicate a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) signal using the resources. In some embodiments, wherein the resources are located within K plurality of resource blocks (RBs) in the frequency spectrum over the time period, wherein a frequency spreading over M of the K plurality of RBs satisfies a power spectral density (PSD) parameter of the frequency spectrum, wherein K and M are positive integers, and wherein K is greater than or equal to M. In some embodiments, wherein the resources include a set of contiguous subcarriers. In some embodiments, wherein the resources include a set of distributed subcarriers spaced apart from each by at least one other subcarrier. In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for communicating, with the second wireless communication device, a reference signal during one or more time symbols within the time period. In some embodiments, wherein the communication signal is communicated during one or more other time symbols within the time period. In some embodiments, wherein the resources include a set of subcarriers, and wherein the reference signal is communicated using at least one subcarrier outside the resources. In some embodiments, wherein the resources include a set of subcarriers within each of a plurality of resource blocks (RBs), and wherein the reference signal is communicated based on a scrambling code that is based on at least a frequency location of the set of subcarriers. In some embodiments, wherein the means for communicating the communication signal is further configured to communicate the communication signal based on a code-division multiplexing in at least one of a time domain or a frequency domain with another communication signal transmitted by a third wireless communication device using the resources. In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for transmitting, to the second wireless communication device, the configuration, wherein the means for communicating the communication signal is further configured to receive, from the second wireless communication device, the communication signal. In some embodiments, wherein the means for obtaining the configuration is further configured to receive, from the second wireless communication device, the configuration, and wherein the means for communicating the communication signal is further configured to transmit, to the second wireless communication device, the communication signal.

Also, as used herein, including in the claims, "or" as used in a list of items (for example, a list of items prefaced by a phrase such as "at least one of" or "one or more of") indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, a list of [at least one of A, B, or C] means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C).

Claim 1:
A method (<NUM>) of wireless communication, comprising:
obtaining (<NUM>), by a first wireless communication device, a configuration for communicating a communication signal in a frequency spectrum, wherein the configuration is based on at least a number of wireless communication devices scheduled to communicate in a time period and indicates resources in the frequency spectrum over the time period, wherein the resources include resources of mini-resource blocks, mini-RB's, wherein a mini-RB is formed from a subset of contiguous or distributed subcarriers within a resource block, and a frequency distribution mode of the resources, wherein the indicated resources includes a first subset of mini-RBs of a first RB, the first subset of mini-RBs being less than all mini-RBs of the first RB, wherein the frequency distribution mode of the resources indicates the mini-RBs of the first RB are formed from distributed subcarriers wherein the first subset of mini-RB is formed from a set of distributed subcarriers spaced apart from each by at least one other subcarrier; and
a second subset of mini-resource blocks, mini-RBs, of a second RB, the second subset of mini-RBs being less than all mini-RBs of the second RB, wherein the frequency distribution mode of the resources indicates the mini-RBs of the second RB are formed from distributed subcarriers wherein the second subset of mini-RB is formed from a set of distributed subcarriers spaced apart from each by at least one other subcarrier; wherein the resources and the frequency distribution mode are determined, by the first wireless communication device, based on a parameter associated with a power spectral density, PSD, of the frequency spectrum; and
communicating (<NUM>), by the first wireless communication device with a second wireless communication device, the communication signal in the frequency spectrum during the time period based on the configuration.