Patent ID: 12256394

Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some of the examples in this disclosure are based on wireless and wired local area network (LAN) communication according to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 wireless standards, the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet standards, and the IEEE 1901 Powerline communication (PLC) standards. However, the described implementations may be implemented in any device, system or network that is capable of transmitting and receiving RF signals according to any of the wireless communication standards, including any of the IEEE 802.11 standards, the Bluetooth® standard, code division multiple access (CDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), GSM/General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA), Wideband-CDMA (W-CDMA), Evolution Data Optimized (EV-DO), 1×EV-DO, EV-DO Rev A, EV-DO Rev B, High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), Evolved High Speed Packet Access (HSPA+), Long Term Evolution (LTE), AMPS, or other known signals that are used to communicate within a wireless, cellular or internet of things (IOT) network, such as a system utilizing 3G, 4G or 5G, or further implementations thereof, technology.

In various implementations, the techniques and apparatus may be used for wireless communication networks such as code division multiple access (CDMA) networks, time division multiple access (TDMA) networks, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) networks, orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA) networks, single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) networks, LTE networks, GSM networks, 5thGeneration (5G) or new radio (NR) networks (sometimes referred to as “5G NR” networks/systems/devices), as well as other communications networks. As described herein, the terms “networks” and “systems” may be used interchangeably.

A CDMA network may implement a radio technology such as universal terrestrial radio access (UTRA), cdma2000, and the like. UTRA includes wideband-CDMA (W-CDMA) and low chip rate (LCR). CDMA2000 covers IS-2000, IS-95, and IS-856 standards.

A TDMA network may implement a radio technology such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). 3GPP defines standards for the GSM EDGE (enhanced data rates for GSM evolution) radio access network (RAN), also denoted as GERAN. GERAN is the radio component of GSM/EDGE, together with the network that joins the base stations (for example, the Ater and Abis interfaces) and the base station controllers (A interfaces, etc.). The radio access network represents a component of a GSM network, through which phone calls and packet data are routed from and to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and Internet to and from subscriber handsets, also known as user terminals or user equipments (UEs). A mobile phone operator's network may include one or more GERANs, which may be coupled with UTRANs in the case of a UMTS/GSM network. Additionally, an operator network may include one or more LTE networks, or one or more other networks. The various different network types may use different radio access technologies (RATs) and radio access networks (RANs).

An OFDMA network may implement a radio technology such as evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.16, IEEE 802.20, flash-OFDM and the like. UTRA, E-UTRA, and GSM are part of universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS). In particular, long term evolution (LTE) is a release of UMTS that uses E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, GSM, UNITS and LTE are described in documents provided from an organization named “3rd Generation Partnership Project” (3GPP), and cdma2000 is described in documents from an organization named “3rd Generation Partnership Project 2” (3GPP2). These various radio technologies and standards are known or are being developed. For example, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is a collaboration between groups of telecommunications associations that aims to define a globally applicable third generation (3G) mobile phone specification. 3GPP long term evolution (LTE) is a 3GPP project aimed at improving the universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) mobile phone standard. The 3GPP may define specifications for the next generation of mobile networks, mobile systems, and mobile devices. The present disclosure may describe certain aspects with reference to LTE, 4G, 5G, or NR technologies; however, the description is not intended to be limited to a specific technology or application, and one or more aspects described with reference to one technology may be understood to be applicable to another technology. Indeed, one or more aspects the present disclosure are related to shared access to wireless spectrum between networks using different radio access technologies or radio air interfaces.

5G networks contemplate diverse deployments, diverse spectrum, and diverse services and devices that may be implemented using an OFDM-based unified, air interface. To achieve these goals, further enhancements to LTE and LTE-A are considered in addition to development of the new radio technology for 5G NR networks. The 5G NR will be capable of scaling to provide coverage (1) to a massive Internet of things (IoTs) with an ultra-high density (such as ˜1M nodes/km2), ultra-low complexity (such as ˜10 s of bits/sec), ultra-low energy (such as ˜10+ years of battery life), and deep coverage with the capability to reach challenging locations; (2) including mission-critical control with strong security to safeguard sensitive personal, financial, or classified information, ultra-high reliability (such as ˜99.9999% reliability), ultra-low latency (such as ˜1 millisecond (ms)), and users with wide ranges of mobility or lack thereof; and (3) with enhanced mobile broadband including extreme high capacity (such as ˜10 Tbps/km2), extreme data rates (such as multi-Gbps rate, 100+ Mbps user experienced rates), and deep awareness with advanced discovery and optimizations.

Devices, networks, and systems may be configured to communicate via one or more portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The electromagnetic spectrum is often subdivided, based on frequency or wavelength, into various classes, bands, channels, etc. In 5G NR two initial operating bands have been identified as frequency range designations FR1 (410 MHz-7.125 GHz) and FR2 (24.25 GHz-52.6 GHz). The frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are often referred to as mid-band frequencies. Although a portion of FR1 is greater than 6 GHz, FR1 is often referred to (interchangeably) as a “sub-6 GHz” band in various documents and articles. A similar nomenclature issue sometimes occurs with regard to FR2, which is often referred to (interchangeably) as a “millimeter wave” (mmWave) band in documents and articles, despite being different from the extremely high frequency (EHF) band (30 GHz-300 GHz) which is identified by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) as a “mmWave” band.

With the above aspects in mind, unless specifically stated otherwise, it should be understood that the term “sub-6 GHz” or the like if used herein may broadly represent frequencies that may be less than 6 GHz, may be within FR1, or may include mid-band frequencies. Further, unless specifically stated otherwise, it should be understood that the term “mmWave” or the like if used herein may broadly represent frequencies that may include mid-band frequencies, may be within FR2, or may be within the EHF band.

5G NR devices, networks, and systems may be implemented to use optimized OFDM-based waveform features. These features may include scalable numerology and transmission time intervals (TTIs); a common, flexible framework to efficiently multiplex services and features with a dynamic, low-latency time division duplex (TDD)/frequency division duplex (FDD) design; and advanced wireless technologies, such as massive multiple input, multiple output (MIMO), robust mmWave transmissions, advanced channel coding, and device-centric mobility. Scalability of the numerology in 5G NR, with scaling of subcarrier spacing, may efficiently address operating diverse services across diverse spectrum and diverse deployments. For example, in various outdoor and macro coverage deployments of less than 3 GHz FDD/TDD implementations, subcarrier spacing may occur with 15 kHz, for example over 1, 5, 10, 20 MHz, and the like bandwidth. For other various outdoor and small cell coverage deployments of TDD greater than 3 GHz, subcarrier spacing may occur with 30 kHz over 80/100 MHz bandwidth. For other various indoor wideband implementations, using a TDD over the unlicensed portion of the 5 GHz band, the subcarrier spacing may occur with 60 kHz over a 160 MHz bandwidth. Finally, for various deployments transmitting with mmWave components at a TDD of 28 GHz, subcarrier spacing may occur with 120 kHz over a 500 MHz bandwidth.

The scalable numerology of 5G NR facilitates scalable TTI for diverse latency and quality of service (QoS) requirements. For example, shorter TTI may be used for low latency and high reliability, while longer TTI may be used for higher spectral efficiency. The efficient multiplexing of long and short TTIs to allow transmissions to start on symbol boundaries. 5G NR also contemplates a self-contained integrated subframe design with uplink/downlink scheduling information, data, and acknowledgement in the same subframe. The self-contained integrated subframe supports communications in unlicensed or contention-based shared spectrum, adaptive uplink/downlink that may be flexibly configured on a per-cell basis to dynamically switch between uplink and downlink to meet the current traffic needs.

For clarity, certain aspects of the apparatus and techniques may be described below with reference to example 5G NR implementations or in a 5G-centric way, and 5G terminology may be used as illustrative examples in portions of the description below; however, the description is not intended to be limited to 5G applications.

Moreover, it should be understood that, in operation, wireless communication networks adapted according to the concepts herein may operate with any combination of licensed or unlicensed spectrum depending on loading and availability. Accordingly, it will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art that the systems, apparatus and methods described herein may be applied to other communications systems and applications than the particular examples provided.

In some wireless communication systems, PUCCH may be configured to allow for signaling mechanisms to support an indication of a dynamic PUCCH repetition factor. In some instances, the PUCCH may be configured to allow for a mechanism to support DMRS bundling across PUCCH repetitions. In addition, the dynamic indication of a PUCCH repetition factor may be achieved by configured repetition per PUCCH resource set and dynamic indication of PRI via DCI that schedules PDSCH. However, this approach is only applicable for a PUCCH that carries an acknowledgement (ACK)/not-acknowledgement (NACK) for a scheduled PDSCH, because the PRI is addressing resource sets for the PUCCH associated with the scheduled PDSCH. As such, the dynamic indication of the repetition factor may not be applicable for ACK/NACK feedback for SPS, periodic CSI on PUCCH, or SR. For example, SPS does not have a PDCCH that schedules each instance of SPS because the resources are configured. In addition, periodic CSI does not have a DCI indicating PUCCH resources every time a periodic CSI is to be transmitted.

Aspects provided herein provide a configuration to dynamically indicate a PUCCH repetition factor that is applicable to multiple PUCCHs. For example, a base station may configure a DCI that schedules a first PDSCH and includes a PRI that indicates a repetition factor of a first PUCCH that is associated with the first PDSCH and at least one additional PUCCH. The at least one additional PUCCH may not be associated with the first PDSCH scheduled by the DCI. The PUCCH may be associated with another resource set, such as but not limited to periodic CSI, SPS feedback, or any other PDSCH that is not scheduled by the DCI.

Particular implementations of the subject matter described herein can be implemented to realize one or more of the following potential advantages. In some aspects, the present disclosure provides a process and techniques for supporting a PRI. In some aspects, a PUCCH repetition factor is dynamically indicated that is applicable to multiple PUCCHs. Accordingly, at least one advantage of the disclosure is that the PRI may dynamically indicate a repetition factor that may be applied to other PUCCHs other than the PUCCH associated with the PDSCH scheduled by the DCI. By applying the repetition fact to other PUCCHs other than the PUCCH associated with the PDSCH scheduled by the DCI, overhead signaling may be reduce to thereby improve system efficiency.

The present disclosure provides systems, apparatus, methods, and computer-readable media for that supports PRI for a repetition indicator of a repetition factor. For example, the base station may generate DCI including a PRI that includes the repetition indicator of a repetition factor. The repetition indicator is associated with multiple PUCCH types. The multiple PUCCH types include ACK/NACK for a scheduled PDSCH, ACK/NACK of SPS, periodic CSI on PUCCH, SR, or a combination thereof. The base station transmits the DCI which may be received the UE. Based on the repetition factor, the UE may transmit a message associated with one of the multiple PUCCH types. For example, the UE may transmit the message multiple times based on the repetition factor.

Particular implementations of the subject matter described herein can be implemented to realize one or more of the following potential advantages. In some aspects, the present disclosure provides a process and techniques for supporting a PRI, such as enhanced PRI associated with a PUCCH repetition factor, for multiple PUCCH types. The PRI may be included in DCI and enable dynamic PUCCH repetition factor indication. As compared to a conventional PRI which may dynamically indicate a PUCCH repetition factor that applies for the PUCCH that carries ACK/NACK for the scheduled PDSCH, the PRI described herein may reduce overhead and signaling to set or update a repetition factor by being applicable to PUCCH other than or in addition to the PUCCH that carries ACK/NACK for the scheduled PDSCH. For example, the PRI may be applicable to ACK/NACK of SPS, periodic CSI on PUCCH, an SR, or a combination thereof.

FIG.1is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communications system and an access network100. The wireless communications system (also referred to as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) includes base stations102, UEs104, an Evolved Packet Core (EPC)160, and another core network190(such as a 5G Core (5GC)). The base stations102may include macrocells (high power cellular base station) and/or small cells (low power cellular base station). The macrocells include base stations. The small cells include femtocells, picocells, and microcells.

The base stations102configured for 4G LTE (collectively referred to as Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)) may interface with the EPC160through first backhaul links132(such as S1 interface). The base stations102configured for 5G NR (collectively referred to as Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN)) may interface with core network190through second backhaul links184. In addition to other functions, the base stations102may perform one or more of the following functions: transfer of user data, radio channel ciphering and deciphering, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (such as handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection setup and release, load balancing, distribution for non-access stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, radio access network (RAN) sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), subscriber and equipment trace, RAN information management (RIM), paging, positioning, and delivery of warning messages. The base stations102may communicate directly or indirectly (such as through the EPC160or core network190) with each other over third backhaul links134(such as X2 interface). The first backhaul links132, the second backhaul links184, and the third backhaul links134may be wired or wireless.

The base stations102may wirelessly communicate with the UEs104. Each of the base stations102may provide communication coverage for a respective geographic coverage area110. There may be overlapping geographic coverage areas110. For example, the small cell102′ may have a coverage area110′ that overlaps the coverage area110of one or more macro base stations102. A network that includes both small cell and macrocells may be known as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network also may include Home Evolved Node Bs (eNBs) (HeNBs), which may provide service to a restricted group known as a closed subscriber group (CSG). The communication links120between the base stations102and the UEs104may include uplink (UL) (also referred to as reverse link) transmissions from a UE104to a base station102and/or downlink (DL) (also referred to as forward link) transmissions from a base station102to a UE104. The communication links120may use multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and/or transmit diversity. The communication links may be through one or more carriers. The base stations102/UEs104may use spectrum up to Y MHz (such as 5, 10, 15, 20, 100, 400, etc. MHz) bandwidth per carrier allocated in a carrier aggregation of up to a total of Yx MHz (x component carriers) used for transmission in each direction. The carriers may or may not be adjacent to each other. Allocation of carriers may be asymmetric with respect to DL and UL (such as more or fewer carriers may be allocated for DL than for UL). The component carriers may include a primary component carrier and one or more secondary component carriers. A primary component carrier may be referred to as a primary cell (PCell) and a secondary component carrier may be referred to as a secondary cell (SCell).

Certain UEs104may communicate with each other using device-to-device (D2D) communication link158. The D2D communication link158may use the DL/UL WWAN spectrum. The D2D communication link158may use one or more sidelink channels, such as a physical sidelink broadcast channel (PSBCH), a physical sidelink discovery channel (PSDCH), a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH), and a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH). D2D communication may be through a variety of wireless D2D communications systems, such as for example, WiMedia, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard, LTE, or NR.

The wireless communications system may further include a Wi-Fi access point (AP)150in communication with Wi-Fi stations (STAs)152via communication links154, such as in a 5 GHz unlicensed frequency spectrum or the like. When communicating in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, the STAs152/AP150may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) prior to communicating in order to determine whether the channel is available.

The small cell102′ may operate in a licensed and/or an unlicensed frequency spectrum. When operating in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, the small cell102′ may employ NR and use the same unlicensed frequency spectrum (such as 5 GHz, or the like) as used by the Wi-Fi AP150. The small cell102′, employing NR in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, may boost coverage to and/or increase capacity of the access network.

The electromagnetic spectrum is often subdivided, based on frequency/wavelength, into various classes, bands, channels, etc. In 5G NR, two initial operating bands have been identified as frequency range designations FR1 (410 MHz-7.125 GHz) and FR2 (24.25 GHz-52.6 GHz). The frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are often referred to as mid-band frequencies. Although a portion of FR1 is greater than 6 GHz, FR1 is often referred to (interchangeably) as a “sub-6 GHz” band in various documents and articles. A similar nomenclature issue sometimes occurs with regard to FR2, which is often referred to (interchangeably) as a “millimeter wave” band in documents and articles, despite being different from the extremely high frequency (EHF) band (30 GHz-300 GHz) which is identified by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) as a “millimeter wave” band.

With the above aspects in mind, unless specifically stated otherwise, it should be understood that the term “sub-6 GHz” or the like if used herein may broadly represent frequencies that may be less than 6 GHz, may be within FR1, or may include mid-band frequencies. Further, unless specifically stated otherwise, it should be understood that the term “millimeter wave” or the like if used herein may broadly represent frequencies that may include mid-band frequencies, may be within FR2, or may be within the EHF band.

A base station102, whether a small cell102′ or a large cell (such as macro base station), may include and/or be referred to as an eNB, gNodeB (gNB), or another type of base station. Some base stations, such as gNB180may operate in a traditional sub 6 GHz spectrum, in millimeter wave frequencies, and/or near millimeter wave frequencies in communication with the UE104. When the gNB180operates in millimeter wave or near millimeter wave frequencies, the gNB180may be referred to as a millimeter wave base station. The millimeter wave base station180may utilize beamforming182with the UE104to compensate for the path loss and short range. The base station180and the UE104may each include a plurality of antennas, such as antenna elements, antenna panels, and/or antenna arrays to facilitate the beamforming.

The base station180may transmit a beamformed signal to the UE104in one or more transmit directions182′. The UE104may receive the beamformed signal from the base station180in one or more receive directions182″. The UE104also may transmit a beamformed signal to the base station180in one or more transmit directions. The base station180may receive the beamformed signal from the UE104in one or more receive directions. The base station180/UE104may perform beam training to determine the best receive and transmit directions for each of the base station180/UE104. The transmit and receive directions for the base station180may or may not be the same. The transmit and receive directions for the UE104may or may not be the same.

The EPC160may include a Mobility Management Entity (MME)162, other MMEs164, a Serving Gateway166, a Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) Gateway168, a Broadcast Multicast Service Center (BM-SC)170, and a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway172. The MME162may be in communication with a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)174. The MME162is the control node that processes the signaling between the UEs104and the EPC160. Generally, the MME162provides bearer and connection management. All user Internet protocol (IP) packets are transferred through the Serving Gateway166, which itself is connected to the PDN Gateway172. The PDN Gateway172provides UE IP address allocation as well as other functions. The PDN Gateway172and the BM-SC170are connected to the IP Services176. The IP Services176may include the Internet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), a PS Streaming Service, and/or other IP services. The BM-SC170may provide functions for MBMS user service provisioning and delivery. The BM-SC170may serve as an entry point for content provider MBMS transmission, may be used to authorize and initiate MBMS Bearer Services within a public land mobile network (PLMN), and may be used to schedule MBMS transmissions. The MBMS Gateway168may be used to distribute MBMS traffic to the base stations102belonging to a Multicast Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) area broadcasting a particular service, and may be responsible for session management (start/stop) and for collecting eMBMS related charging information.

The core network190may include a Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF)192, other AMFs193, a Session Management Function (SMF)194, and a User Plane Function (UPF)195. The AMF192may be in communication with a Unified Data Management (UDM)196. The AMF192is the control node that processes the signaling between the UEs104and the core network190. Generally, the AMF192provides QoS flow and session management. All user Internet protocol (IP) packets are transferred through the UPF195. The UPF195provides UE IP address allocation as well as other functions. The UPF195is connected to the IP Services197. The IP Services197may include the Internet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), a Packet Switch (PS) Streaming (PSS) Service, and/or other IP services.

The base station may include and/or be referred to as a gNB, Node B, eNB, an access point, a base transceiver station, a radio base station, a radio transceiver, a transceiver function, a basic service set (BSS), an extended service set (ESS), a transmit reception point (TRP), or some other suitable terminology. The base station102provides an access point to the EPC160or core network190for a UE104. Examples of UEs104include a cellular phone, a smart phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a satellite radio, a global positioning system, a multimedia device, a video device, a digital audio player (such as MP3 player), a camera, a game console, a tablet, a smart device, a wearable device, a vehicle, an electric meter, a gas pump, a large or small kitchen appliance, a healthcare device, an implant, a sensor/actuator, a display, or any other similar functioning device. Some of the UEs104may be referred to as IoT devices (such as parking meter, gas pump, toaster, vehicles, heart monitor, etc.). The UE104also may be referred to as a station, 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.

Referring again toFIG.1, in certain aspects, the UE104may be configured to transmit at least one additional PUCCH based on a dynamic indication of a PUCCH repetition factor that is applicable to multiple PUCCHs. For example, the UE104may include a PUCCH component198configured to transmit at least one additional PUCCH based on a dynamic indication of a PUCCH repetition factor that is applicable to multiple PUCCHs. The UE104receives a configuration for DCI that schedules a first PDSCH and includes a PRI indicating a repetition factor of a first PUCCH associated with the first PDSCH and at least one additional PUCCH. The UE104modifies transmission of the at least one additional PUCCH associated with the repetition factor of the first PUCCH. The UE104transmits the at least one additional PUCCH, to a base station180, wherein the at least one additional PUCCH is transmitted with the repetition factor based on a preconfiguration of PUCCH resource sets and a selection of a PUCCH resource set by the PRI.

Although the following description may be focused on 5G NR, the concepts described herein may be applicable to other similar areas, such as LTE, LTE-A, CDMA, GSM, and other wireless technologies.

FIG.2Ais a diagram200illustrating an example of a first subframe within a 5G NR frame structure.FIG.2Bis a diagram230illustrating an example of DL channels within a 5G NR subframe.FIG.2Cis a diagram250illustrating an example of a second subframe within a 5G NR frame structure.FIG.2Dis a diagram280illustrating an example of UL channels within a 5G NR subframe. The 5G NR frame structure may be frequency division duplexed (FDD) in which for a particular set of subcarriers (carrier system bandwidth), subframes within the set of subcarriers are dedicated for either DL or UL, or may be time division duplexed (TDD) in which for a particular set of subcarriers (carrier system bandwidth), subframes within the set of subcarriers are dedicated for both DL and UL. In the examples provided byFIGS.2A,2C, the 5G NR frame structure is assumed to be TDD, with subframe 4 being configured with slot format 28 (with mostly DL), where D is DL, U is UL, and F is flexible for use between DL/UL, and subframe 3 being configured with slot format 1 (with all UL). While subframes 3, 4 are shown with slot formats 1, 28, respectively, any particular subframe may be configured with any of the various available slot formats 0-61. Slot formats 0, 1 are all DL, UL, respectively. Other slot formats 2-61 include a mix of DL, UL, and flexible symbols. UEs are configured with the slot format (dynamically through DL control information (DCI), or semi-statically/statically through radio resource control (RRC) signaling) through a received slot format indicator (SFI). Note that the description infra applies also to a 5G NR frame structure that is TDD.

Other wireless communication technologies may have a different frame structure and/or different channels. A frame (10 ms) may be divided into 10 equally sized subframes (1 ms). Each subframe may include one or more time slots. Subframes also may include mini-slots, which may include 7, 4, or 2 symbols. Each slot may include 7 or 14 symbols, depending on the slot configuration. For slot configuration 0, each slot may include 14 symbols, and for slot configuration 1, each slot may include 7 symbols. The symbols on DL may be cyclic prefix (CP) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) (CP-OFDM) symbols. The symbols on UL may be CP-OFDM symbols (for high throughput scenarios) or discrete Fourier transform (DFT) spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) symbols (also referred to as single carrier frequency-division multiple access (SC-FDMA) symbols) (for power limited scenarios; limited to a single stream transmission). The number of slots within a subframe is based on the slot configuration and the numerology. For slot configuration 0, different numerologies μ 0 to 4 allow for 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 slots, respectively, per subframe. For slot configuration 1, different numerologies 0 to 2 allow for 2, 4, and 8 slots, respectively, per subframe. Accordingly, for slot configuration 0 and numerology there are 14 symbols/slot and 2μslots/subframe. The subcarrier spacing and symbol length/duration are a function of the numerology. The subcarrier spacing may be equal to 2μ*15 kHz, where μ is the numerology 0 to 4. As such, the numerology μ=0 has a subcarrier spacing of 15 kHz and the numerology μ=4 has a subcarrier spacing of 240 kHz. The symbol length/duration is inversely related to the subcarrier spacing.FIGS.2A-2Dprovide an example of slot configuration 0 with 14 symbols per slot and numerology μ=2 with 4 slots per subframe. The slot duration is 0.25 ms, the subcarrier spacing is 60 kHz, and the symbol duration is approximately 16.67 microseconds (p). Within a set of frames, there may be one or more different bandwidth parts (BWPs) (seeFIG.2B) that are frequency division multiplexed. Each BWP may have a particular numerology.

A resource grid may be used to represent the frame structure. Each time slot includes a resource block (RB) (also referred to as physical RBs (PRBs)) that extends 12 consecutive subcarriers. The resource grid is divided into multiple resource elements (REs). The number of bits carried by each RE depends on the modulation scheme.

As illustrated inFIG.2A, some of the REs carry reference (pilot) signals (RS) for the UE. The RS may include demodulation RS (DM-RS) (indicated as R for one particular configuration, but other DM-RS configurations are possible) and channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS) for channel estimation at the UE. The RS also may include beam measurement RS (BRS), beam refinement RS (BRRS), and phase tracking RS (PT-RS).

FIG.2Billustrates an example of various DL channels within a subframe of a frame. The physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) carries DCI within one or more control channel elements (CCEs) (such as 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 CCEs), each CCE including six RE groups (REGs), each REG including 12 consecutive REs in an OFDM symbol of an RB. A PDCCH within one BWP may be referred to as a control resource set (CORESET). A UE is configured to monitor PDCCH candidates in a PDCCH search space (such as common search space, UE-specific search space) during PDCCH monitoring occasions on the CORESET, where the PDCCH candidates have different DCI formats and different aggregation levels. Additional BWPs may be located at greater and/or lower frequencies across the channel bandwidth. A primary synchronization signal (PSS) may be within symbol 2 of particular subframes of a frame. The PSS is used by a UE104to determine subframe/symbol timing and a physical layer identity. A secondary synchronization signal (SSS) may be within symbol 4 of particular subframes of a frame. The SSS is used by a UE to determine a physical layer cell identity group number and radio frame timing. Based on the physical layer identity and the physical layer cell identity group number, the UE can determine a physical cell identifier (PCI). Based on the PCI, the UE can determine the locations of the aforementioned DM-RS. The physical broadcast channel (PBCH), which carries a master information block (MIB), may be logically grouped with the PSS and SSS to form a synchronization signal (SS)/PBCH block (also referred to as SS block (SSB)). The MIB provides a number of RBs in the system bandwidth and a system frame number (SFN). The physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) carries user data, broadcast system information not transmitted through the PBCH such as system information blocks (SIBs), and paging messages.

As illustrated inFIG.2C, some of the REs carry DM-RS (indicated as R for one particular configuration, but other DM-RS configurations are possible) for channel estimation at the base station. The UE may transmit DM-RS for the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) and DM-RS for the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). The PUSCH DM-RS may be transmitted in the first one or two symbols of the PUSCH. The PUCCH DM-RS may be transmitted in different configurations depending on whether short or long PUCCHs are transmitted and depending on the particular PUCCH format used. The UE may transmit sounding reference signals (SRS). The SRS may be transmitted in the last symbol of a subframe. The SRS may have a comb structure, and a UE may transmit SRS on one of the combs. The SRS may be used by a base station for channel quality estimation to enable frequency-dependent scheduling on the UL.

FIG.2Dillustrates an example of various UL channels within a subframe of a frame. The PUCCH may be located as indicated in one configuration. The PUCCH carries uplink control information (UCI), such as scheduling requests, a channel quality indicator (CQI), a precoding matrix indicator (PMI), a rank indicator (RI), and hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) acknowledgment (ACK) (HARQ-ACK) information (ACK/negative ACK (NACK)) feedback. The PUSCH carries data, and may additionally be used to carry a buffer status report (BSR), a power headroom report (PHR), and/or UCI.

FIG.3is a block diagram of a base station310in communication with a UE350in an access network. In the DL, IP packets from the EPC160may be provided to a controller/processor375. The controller/processor375implements layer 3 and layer 2 functionality. Layer 3 includes a radio resource control (RRC) layer, and layer 2 includes a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, and a medium access control (MAC) layer. The controller/processor375provides RRC layer functionality associated with broadcasting of system information (such as MIB, SIBs), RRC connection control (such as RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC connection modification, and RRC connection release), inter radio access technology (RAT) mobility, and measurement configuration for UE measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression/decompression, security (ciphering, deciphering, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions; RLC layer functionality associated with the transfer of upper layer packet data units (PDUs), error correction through ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC service data units (SDUs), re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto transport blocks (TBs), demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction through HARQ, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

The transmit (TX) processor316and the receive (RX) processor370implement layer 1 functionality associated with various signal processing functions. Layer 1, which includes a physical (PHY) layer, may include error detection on the transport channels, forward error correction (FEC) coding/decoding of the transport channels, interleaving, rate matching, mapping onto physical channels, modulation/demodulation of physical channels, and MIMO antenna processing. The TX processor316handles mapping to signal constellations based on various modulation schemes (such as binary phase-shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK), M-phase-shift keying (M-PSK), M-quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM)). The coded and modulated symbols may then be split into parallel streams. Each stream may then be mapped to an OFDM subcarrier, multiplexed with a reference signal (such as pilot) in the time and/or frequency domain, and then combined together using an Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) to produce a physical channel carrying a time domain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDM stream is spatially precoded to produce multiple spatial streams. Channel estimates from a channel estimator374may be used to determine the coding and modulation scheme, as well as for spatial processing. The channel estimate may be derived from a reference signal and/or channel condition feedback transmitted by the UE350. Each spatial stream may then be provided to a different antenna320via a separate transmitter318TX. Each transmitter318TX may modulate an RF carrier with a respective spatial stream for transmission.

At the UE350, each receiver354RX receives a signal through its respective antenna352. Each receiver354RX recovers information modulated onto an RF carrier and provides the information to the receive (RX) processor356. The TX processor368and the RX processor356implement layer 1 functionality associated with various signal processing functions. The RX processor356may perform spatial processing on the information to recover any spatial streams destined for the UE350. If multiple spatial streams are destined for the UE350, they may be combined by the RX processor356into a single OFDM symbol stream. The RX processor356then converts the OFDM symbol stream from the time-domain to the frequency domain using a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). The frequency domain signal includes a separate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols on each subcarrier, and the reference signal, are recovered and demodulated by determining the most likely signal constellation points transmitted by the base station310. These soft decisions may be based on channel estimates computed by the channel estimator358. The soft decisions are then decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals that were originally transmitted by the base station310on the physical channel. The data and control signals are then provided to the controller/processor359, which implements layer 3 and layer 2 functionality.

The controller/processor359can be associated with a memory360that stores program codes and data. The memory360may be referred to as a computer-readable medium. In the UL, the controller/processor359provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, deciphering, header decompression, and control signal processing to recover IP packets from the EPC160. The controller/processor359is also responsible for error detection using an ACK and/or NACK protocol to support HARQ operations.

Similar to the functionality described in connection with the DL transmission by the base station310, the controller/processor359provides RRC layer functionality associated with system information (such as MIB, SIBs) acquisition, RRC connections, and measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression/decompression, and security (ciphering, deciphering, integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functionality associated with the transfer of upper layer PDUs, error correction through ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC SDUs, re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto TBs, demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction through HARQ, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

Channel estimates derived by a channel estimator358from a reference signal or feedback transmitted by the base station310may be used by the TX processor368to select the appropriate coding and modulation schemes, and to facilitate spatial processing. The spatial streams generated by the TX processor368may be provided to different antenna352via separate transmitters354TX. Each transmitter354TX may modulate an RF carrier with a respective spatial stream for transmission.

The UL transmission is processed at the base station310in a manner similar to that described in connection with the receiver function at the UE350. Each receiver318RX receives a signal through its respective antenna320. Each receiver318RX recovers information modulated onto an RF carrier and provides the information to a RX processor370.

The controller/processor375can be associated with a memory376that stores program codes and data. The memory376may be referred to as a computer-readable medium. In the UL, the controller/processor375provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, deciphering, header decompression, control signal processing to recover IP packets from the UE350. IP packets from the controller/processor375may be provided to the EPC160. The controller/processor375is also responsible for error detection using an ACK and/or NACK protocol to support HARQ operations.

At least one of the TX processor368, the RX processor356, and the controller/processor359may be configured to perform aspects in connection with198ofFIG.1.

At least one of the TX processor316, the RX processor370, and the controller/processor375may be configured to perform aspects in connection with configuration component199ofFIG.1.

FIG.4is a call flow diagram400of signaling between a UE402and a base station404. The base station404may be configured to provide at least one cell. The UE402may be configured to communicate with the base station404. For example, in the context ofFIG.1, the base station404may correspond to base station102/180and, accordingly, the cell may include a geographic coverage area110in which communication coverage is provided and/or small cell102′ having a coverage area110′. Further, a UE402may correspond to at least UE104. In another example, in the context ofFIG.3, the base station404may correspond to base station310and the UE402may correspond to UE350. Optional aspects are illustrated with a dashed line.

As illustrated at406, the base station404may configure a DCI that schedules a first PDSCH and includes a PRI indicating a repetition factor of a first PUCCH associated with the first PDSCH and at least one additional PUCCH. The repetition factor indicated in the PRI also may be applied for another PUCCH associated with another resource or another resource set. In some aspects, the PRI may implicitly indicate the repetition factor, where the implicit indication may be based on a configuration of the indicated PUCCH resource set. In some aspects, the at least one additional PUCCH may be associated with a periodic channel state information (CSI) or a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) feedback. In some aspects, the at least one additional PUCCH may be associated with at least one additional PDSCH other than the first PDSCH scheduled by the DCI. The at least one additional PUCCH is not associated with the first PDSCH that is scheduled by the DCI. In some aspects, the repetition factor may configure the at least one additional PUCCH based on a configuration of the first PUCCH. The repetition factor of the at least one additional PUCCH may be a factor of the repetition factor of the first PUCCH. For example, the repetition factor of the at least one additional PUCCH may repeat at 1×, 2×, 3×, or etc. the repetition factor of the first PUCCH. In some aspects, the repetition factor may configure the at least one additional PUCCH based on a format of the at least one additional PUCCH. Different PUCCH formats of the at least one additional PUCCH may have different repetition factors. For example, the at least one additional PUCCH having a first PUCCH format may have a first repetition factor, the at least one additional PUCCH having a second PUCCH format may have a second repetition factor, and etc. The respective repetition factors may continue to be applied while the PRI is valid or overwritten by a new PRI. In some aspects, the repetition factor may configure the at least one additional PUCCH based on a size of an uplink control information (UCI) or based on a content of the UCI. For example, in instances where the content of the UCI includes periodic CSI, the repetition factor of the at least one additional PUCCH may be twice the repetition factor of the first PUCCH.

In some aspects, for example as illustrated at408, the base station404may assign PUCCH resources, or a PUCCH resource set, into a plurality of different groups. Each of the plurality of different groups may be associated with a different repetition factor. The plurality of different groups may include at least a first group and a second group. The configuration assigning the PUCCH resources, or the PUCCH resource sets, into the plurality of different groups may be within the DCI.

In some aspects, for example as illustrated at410, the base station404may select a first PUCCH resource, or a first PUCCH resource set, from the first group of the second group. Selection of the first PUCCH resource, or the first PUCCH resource set, may switch the repetition factor of other PUCCH resources or other PUCCH resource sets to the repetition factor associated with the group from which the first PUCCH resource set is selected. For example, in instances where the first PUCCH resource set is selected from the first group, the selection may switch the repetition factor of other PUCCH resource sets to the repetition factor of the first group. In some aspects, the first PUCCH resource, or the first PUCCH resource set, may be selected from the first group having a first repetition factor, such that the repetition factor of the other PUCCH resources or the other PUCCH resource sets is switched to the first repetition factor. In some aspects, the repetition factor may be valid until overwritten by another PRI. In some aspects, the repetition factor may be valid for a time duration. The time duration may be determined based on the selected resource set. The selection of the first PUCCH resource set may be included within the DCI.

As illustrated at412, the base station404may transmit the DCI having the PRI. The base station may transmit the DCI having the PRI to a UE402. The UE402may receive the configuration for the DCI that schedules the first PDSCH and includes the PRI from the base station404.

In some aspects, the UE402may receive the configuration assigning the PUCCH resources or the PUCCH resource sets into the plurality of different groups. The configuration assigning the PUCCH resources or the PUCCH resource sets into the plurality of different groups may be within the DCI. In some aspects, the UE402may receive the indication of the selection of the first PUCCH resource or the first PUCCH resource set from the first group or the second group. Selection of the first PUCCH resource or the first PUCCH resource set may switch the repetition factor of other PUCCH resource set to the repetition factor associated with the group from which the first PUCCH resource or the first PUCCH resource set is selected. For example, in instances where the first PUCCH resource set is selected from the first group, the selection may switch the repetition factor of other PUCCH resource sets to the repetition factor of the first group. In some aspects, the first PUCCH resource or the first PUCCH resource set may be selected from the first group having a first repetition factor, such that the repetition factor of the other PUCCH resources or the other PUCCH resource sets is switched to the first repetition factor. In some aspects, the repetition factor may be valid until overwritten by another PRI. In some aspects, the repetition factor may be valid for a time duration. The time duration may be determined based on the selected resource set. The indication of the selection of the first PUCCH resource set may be included within the DCI.

As illustrated at414, the base station404may monitor for the at least one additional PUCCH from the at least one UE. The at least one additional PUCCH may be transmitted with a repetition factor based on a preconfiguration of PUCCH resource sets and a selection of a PUCCH resource or a PUCCH resource set by the PRI.

As illustrated at416, the UE402may modify transmission of the at least one additional PUCCH. The UE may modify the transmission of the at least one additional PUCCH associated with the repetition factor of the first PUCCH.

As illustrated at418, the UE402may transmit the at least one additional PUCCH to a base station. The base station may receive the at least one additional PUCCH from the UE. The at least one additional PUCCH may be transmitted, by the UE, with a repetition factor based on a preconfiguration of PUCCH resource sets and a selection of a PUCCH resource or a PUCCH resource set by the PRI.

FIG.5is a flowchart500of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a base station or a component of a base station (such as the base station102/180,404; the apparatus602; the baseband unit604, which may include the memory376and which may be the entire base station310or a component of the base station310, such as the TX processor316, the RX processor370, and/or the controller/processor375). One or more of the illustrated operations may be omitted, transposed, or contemporaneous. Optional aspects are illustrated with a dashed line. The method may allow a base station to provide a dynamic indication of a PUCCH repetition factor that is applicable to multiple PUCCHs.

At502, the base station may configure a DCI that schedules a first PDSCH and includes a PRI indicating a repetition factor of a first PUCCH associated with the first PDSCH and at least one additional PUCCH. For example,502may be performed by configuration component640of apparatus602. In some aspects, the at least one additional PUCCH may be associated with a periodic CSI or an SPS feedback. In some aspects, the at least one additional PUCCH may be associated with at least one additional PDSCH other than the first PDSCH scheduled by the DCI. The at least one additional PUCCH is not associated with the first PDSCH that is scheduled by the DCI. In some aspects, the repetition factor may configure the at least one additional PUCCH based on a configuration of the first PUCCH. The repetition factor of the at least one additional PUCCH may be a factor of the repetition factor of the first PUCCH. For example, the repetition factor of the at least one additional PUCCH may repeat at 1×, 2×, 3×, or etc. the repetition factor of the first PUCCH. In some aspects, the repetition factor may configure the at least one additional PUCCH based on a format of the at least one additional PUCCH. Different PUCCH formats of the at least one additional PUCCH may have different repetition factors. For example, the at least one additional PUCCH having a first PUCCH format may have a first repetition factor, the at least one additional PUCCH having a second PUCCH format may have a second repetition factor, and etc. The respective repetition factors may continue to be applied while the PRI is valid or overwritten by a new PRI. In some aspects, the repetition factor may configure the at least one additional PUCCH based on a size of a UCI or based on a content of the UCI. For example, in instances where the content of the UCI includes periodic CSI, the repetition factor of the at least one additional PUCCH may be twice the repetition factor of the first PUCCH.

In some aspects, for example at504, the base station may assign PUCCH resource set into a plurality of different groups. For example,504may be performed by assignment component642of apparatus602. Each of the plurality of different groups may be associated with a different repetition factor. The plurality of different groups may include at least a first group and a second group. The configuration assigning the PUCCH resource sets into the plurality of different groups may be within the DCI.

In some aspects, for example at506, the base station may select a first PUCCH resource set from the first group of the second group. For example,506may be performed by selection component644of apparatus602. Selection of the first PUCCH resource set may switch the repetition factor of other PUCCH resource set to the repetition factor associated with the group from which the first PUCCH resource set is selected. For example, in instances where the first PUCCH resource set is selected from the first group, the selection may switch the repetition factor of other PUCCH resource sets to the repetition factor of the first group. In some aspects, the first PUCCH resource set may be selected from the first group having a first repetition factor, such that the repetition factor of the other PUCCH resource sets is switched to the first repetition factor. In some aspects, the repetition factor may be valid until overwritten by another PRI. In some aspects, the repetition factor may be valid for a time duration. The time duration may be determined based on the selected resource set. The selection of the first PUCCH resource set may be included within the DCI.

At508, the base station may transmit the DCI having the PRI. For example,508may be performed by DCI component646of apparatus602. The base station may transmit the DCI having the PRI to at least one UE.

At510, the base station may monitor for the at least one additional PUCCH from the at least one UE. For example,510may be performed by monitor component648of apparatus602. The at least one additional PUCCH may be transmitted with a repetition factor based on a preconfiguration of PUCCH resource sets and a selection of a PUCCH resource set by the PRI.

In some implementations, a method of wireless communication includes configuring DCI that schedules a first PDSCH and includes a PRI indicating a repetition factor of a first PUCCH associated with the first PDSCH and at least one additional PUCCH, and transmitting the DCI having the PRI to at least one user UE. The method also may include assigning PUCCH resources into a plurality of different groups. Each of the plurality of different groups is associated with a different repetition factor, and the plurality of different groups includes at least a first group and a second group. The method may further include selecting a first PUCCH resource from the first group or the second group. Selection of the first PUCCH resource switches the repetition factor of other PUCCH resources to the repetition factor associated with the group from which the first PUCCH resource is selected. The method may include monitoring for the at least one additional PUCCH, from the at least one UE. The at least one additional PUCCH is transmitted with a repetition factor based on a preconfiguration of PUCCH resource sets and selection of the first PUCCH resource.

FIG.6is a diagram600illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus602. The apparatus602is a BS and includes a baseband unit604. The baseband unit604may communicate through a cellular RF transceiver622with the UE104. The baseband unit604may include a computer-readable medium/memory. The baseband unit604is responsible for general processing, including the execution of software stored on the computer-readable medium/memory. The software, when executed by the baseband unit604, causes the baseband unit604to perform the various functions described supra. The computer-readable medium/memory also may be used for storing data that is manipulated by the baseband unit604when executing software. The baseband unit604further includes a reception component630, a communication manager632, and a transmission component634. The communication manager632includes the one or more illustrated components. The components within the communication manager632may be stored in the computer-readable medium/memory and/or configured as hardware within the baseband unit604. The baseband unit604may be a component of the base station310and may include the memory376and/or at least one of the TX processor316, the RX processor370, and the controller/processor375.

The communication manager632includes a configuration component640that may configure a DCI that schedules a first PDSCH and includes a PRI indicating a repetition factor of a first PUCCH associated with the first PDSCH and at least one additional PUCCH, such as described in connection with502ofFIG.5. The communication manager632further includes an assignment component642that may assign PUCCH resource set into a plurality of different groups, such as described in connection with504ofFIG.5. The communication manager632further includes a selection component644that may select a first PUCCH resource set from the first group of the second group, such as described in connection with506ofFIG.5. The communication manager632further includes a DCI component646that may transmit the DCI having the PRI, such as described in connection with508ofFIG.5. The communication manager632further includes a monitor component648that may monitor for the at least one additional PUCCH from the at least one UE, such as described in connection with510ofFIG.5.

The apparatus may include additional components that perform each of the blocks of the algorithm in the aforementioned flowchart ofFIG.5. As such, each block in the aforementioned flowchart ofFIG.5may be performed by a component and the apparatus may include one or more of those components. The components 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.

In one configuration, the apparatus602, and in particular the baseband unit604, includes means for configuring DCI that schedules a first PDSCH and includes a PRI indicating a repetition factor of a first PUCCH associated with the first PDSCH and at least one additional PUCCH. The apparatus includes means for transmitting the DCI having the PRI to at least one UE. The apparatus includes means for monitoring for the at least one additional PUCCH from the at least one UE. The at least one additional PUCCH is transmitted with a repetition factor based on a preconfiguration of PUCCH resource sets and a selection of a PUCCH resource set by the PRI. The apparatus further includes means for assigning the PUCCH resource sets into a plurality of different groups. Each of the plurality of different groups is associated with a different repetition factor. The plurality of different groups including at least a first group and a second group. The apparatus further includes means for selecting a first PUCCH resource set from the first group or the second group. Selection of the first PUCCH resource set switches the repetition factor of other PUCCH resource sets to the repetition factor associated with the group from which the first PUCCH resource set is selected. The aforementioned means may be one or more of the aforementioned components of the apparatus602configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means. As described supra, the apparatus602may include the TX Processor316, the RX Processor370, and the controller/processor375. As such, in one configuration, the aforementioned means may be the TX Processor316, the RX Processor370, and the controller/processor375configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means.

FIG.7is a flowchart700of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a UE or a component of a UE (such as the UE104,402; the apparatus802; the cellular baseband processor804, which may include the memory360and which may be the entire UE350or a component of the UE350, such as the TX processor368, the RX processor356, and/or the controller/processor359). One or more of the illustrated operations may be omitted, transposed, or contemporaneous. Optional aspects are illustrated with a dashed line. The method may allow a UE to transmit at least one additional PUCCH based on a dynamic indication of a PUCCH repetition factor that is applicable to multiple PUCCHs.

At702, the UE may receive a configuration for a DCI that schedules a first PDSCH and includes a PRI indicating a repetition factor of a first PUCCH associated with the first PDSCH and at least one additional PUCCH. For example,702may be performed by configuration component840of apparatus802. The UE may receive the configuration for the DCI that schedules the first PDSCH and includes the PRI from a base station. In some aspects, the at least one additional PUCCH may be associated with a periodic channel state information (CSI) or a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) feedback. In some aspects, the at least one additional PUCCH may be associated with at least one additional PDSCH other than the first PDSCH scheduled by the DCI. The at least one additional PUCCH is not associated with the first PDSCH that is scheduled by the DCI. In some aspects, the repetition factor may configure the at least one additional PUCCH based on a configuration of the first PUCCH. The repetition factor of the at least one additional PUCCH may be a factor of the repetition factor of the first PUCCH. For example, the repetition factor of the at least one additional PUCCH may repeat at 1×, 2×, 3×, or etc. the repetition factor of the first PUCCH. In some aspects, the repetition factor may configure the at least one additional PUCCH based on a format of the at least one additional PUCCH. Different PUCCH formats of the at least one additional PUCCH may have different repetition factors. For example, the at least one additional PUCCH having a first PUCCH format may have a first repetition factor, the at least one additional PUCCH having a second PUCCH format may have a second repetition factor, and etc. The respective repetition factors may continue to be applied while the PRI is valid or overwritten by a new PRI. In some aspects, the repetition factor may configure the at least one additional PUCCH based on a size of an uplink control information (UCI) or based on a content of the UCI. For example, in instances where the content of the UCI includes periodic CSI, the repetition factor of the at least one additional PUCCH may be twice the repetition factor of the first PUCCH.

In some aspects, for example at704, the UE may receive a configuration assigning the PUCCH resource sets into a plurality of different groups. For example,704may be performed by assignment component842of apparatus802. Each of the plurality of different groups may be associated with a different repetition factor. The plurality of different groups may include at least a first group and a second group. The configuration assigning the PUCCH resource sets into the plurality of different groups may be within the DCI.

In some aspects, for example at706, the UE may receive an indication of a selection of a first PUCCH resource set from the first group or the second group. For example,706may be performed by selection component844of apparatus802. Selection of the first PUCCH resource set may switch the repetition factor of other PUCCH resource set to the repetition factor associated with the group from which the first PUCCH resource set is selected. For example, in instances where the first PUCCH resource set is selected from the first group, the selection may switch the repetition factor of other PUCCH resource sets to the repetition factor of the first group. In some aspects, the first PUCCH resource set may be selected from the first group having a first repetition factor, such that the repetition factor of the other PUCCH resource sets is switched to the first repetition factor. In some aspects, the repetition factor may be valid until overwritten by another PRI. In some aspects, the repetition factor may be valid for a time duration. The time duration may be determined based on the selected resource set. The indication of the selection of the first PUCCH resource set may be included within the DCI.

At708, the UE may modify transmission of the at least one additional PUCCH. For example,708may be performed by modification component846of apparatus802. The UE may modify the transmission of the at least one additional PUCCH associated with the repetition factor of the first PUCCH.

At710, the UE may transmit the at least one additional PUCCH to a base station. For example,710may be performed by PUCCH component848of apparatus802. The at least one additional PUCCH may be transmitted with a repetition factor based on a preconfiguration of PUCCH resource sets and a selection of a PUCCH resource set by the PRI.

In some implementations, the method of wireless communication may include receiving a first configuration for DCI that schedules a first PDSCH and includes a PRI indicating a repetition factor of a first PUCCH associated with the first PDSCH and at least one additional PUCCH. The method may further include receiving a second configuration assigning a plurality of PUCCH resources into a plurality of different groups, each of the plurality of different groups associated with a different repetition factor, the plurality of different groups including at least a first group and a second group. The method also may include receiving an indication of a selection of a first PUCCH resource from the first group or the second group. Selection of the first PUCCH resource switches the repetition factor of other PUCCH resources to the repetition factor associated with the group from which the first PUCCH resource is selected. The method may include modifying transmission of the at least one additional PUCCH associated with the repetition factor of the first PUCCH, and transmitting the at least one additional PUCCH, to a base station, the at least one additional PUCCH transmitted with the repetition factor based on a preconfiguration of PUCCH resource sets including the plurality of PUCCH resources and the selection of the first PUCCH resource associated with the PRI.

FIG.8is a diagram800illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus802. The apparatus802is a UE and includes a cellular baseband processor804(also referred to as a modem) coupled to a cellular RF transceiver822and one or more subscriber identity modules (SIM) cards820, an application processor806coupled to a secure digital (SD) card808and a screen810, a Bluetooth module812, a wireless local area network (WLAN) module814, a Global Positioning System (GPS) module816, and a power supply818. The cellular baseband processor804communicates through the cellular RF transceiver822with the UE104and/or BS102/180. The cellular baseband processor804may include a computer-readable medium/memory. The computer-readable medium/memory may be non-transitory. The cellular baseband processor804is responsible for general processing, including the execution of software stored on the computer-readable medium/memory. The software, when executed by the cellular baseband processor804, causes the cellular baseband processor804to perform the various functions described supra. The computer-readable medium/memory also may be used for storing data that is manipulated by the cellular baseband processor804when executing software. The cellular baseband processor804further includes a reception component830, a communication manager832, and a transmission component834. The communication manager832includes the one or more illustrated components. The components within the communication manager832may be stored in the computer-readable medium/memory and/or configured as hardware within the cellular baseband processor804. The cellular baseband processor804may be a component of the UE350and may include the memory360and/or at least one of the TX processor368, the RX processor356, and the controller/processor359. In one configuration, the apparatus802may be a modem chip and include just the cellular baseband processor804, and in another configuration, the apparatus802may be the entire UE (such as UE350ofFIG.3) and include the aforediscussed additional modules of the apparatus802.

The communication manager832includes a configuration component840that is configured to receive a configuration for a DCI that schedules a first PDSCH and includes a PRI indicating a repetition factor of a first PUCCH associated with the first PDSCH and at least one additional PUCCH, such as described in connection with702ofFIG.7. The communication manager832further includes an assignment component842that is configured to receive a configuration assigning the PUCCH resource sets into a plurality of different groups, such as described in connection with704ofFIG.7. The communication manager832further includes a selection component844that is configured to receive an indication of a selection of a first PUCCH resource set from the first group or the second group, such as described in connection with706ofFIG.7. The communication manager832further includes a modification component846that is configured to modify transmission of the at least one additional PUCCH, such as described in connection with708ofFIG.7. The communication manager832further includes a PUCCH component848that is configured to transmit the at least one additional PUCCH to a base station, such as described in connection with710ofFIG.7.

The apparatus may include additional components that perform each of the blocks of the algorithm in the aforementioned flowchart ofFIG.7. As such, each block in the aforementioned flowchart ofFIG.7may be performed by a component and the apparatus may include one or more of those components. The components 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.

In one configuration, the apparatus802, and in particular the cellular baseband processor804, includes means for receiving a configuration for DCI that schedules a first PDSCH and includes a PRI indicating a repetition factor of a first PUCCH associated with the first PDSCH and at least one additional PUCCH. The apparatus includes means for modifying transmission of the at least one additional PUCCH associated with the repetition factor of the first PUCCH. The apparatus includes means for transmitting the at least one additional PUCCH, to a base station. The at least one additional PUCCH is transmitted with the repetition factor based on a preconfiguration of PUCCH resource sets and a selection of a PUCCH resource set by the PRI. The apparatus further includes means for receiving a configuration assigning the PUCCH resource sets into a plurality of different groups. Each of the plurality of different groups is associated with a different repetition factor. The plurality of different groups including at least a first group and a second group. The apparatus further includes means for receiving an indication of a selection of a first PUCCH resource set from the first group or the second group. Selection of the first PUCCH resource set switches the repetition factor of other PUCCH resource sets to the repetition factor associated with the group from which the first PUCCH resource set is selected. The aforementioned means may be one or more of the aforementioned components of the apparatus802configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means. As described supra, the apparatus802may include the TX Processor368, the RX Processor356, and the controller/processor359. As such, in one configuration, the aforementioned means may be the TX Processor368, the RX Processor356, and the controller/processor359configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means.

It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes/flowcharts 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/flowcharts may be rearranged. Further, some blocks may be combined or omitted. The accompanying method claims present elements of the various blocks in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

FIG.9is a block diagram of an example wireless communications system900that supports PRI for a repetition factor. In some examples, the wireless communications system900may implement aspects of the wireless network100. The wireless communications system900includes the UE104and the base station102. Although one UE104and one base station102are illustrated, in some other implementations, the wireless communications system900may generally include multiple UEs104, and may include more than one base station102. The base station102ofFIG.9may include or correspond to the base station102ofFIG.1, the base station310ofFIG.3, the base station404ofFIG.4, or the apparatus602ofFIG.6. The UE104ofFIG.9may include or correspond to the UE104ofFIG.1, the UE350ofFIG.3, the UE402ofFIG.4, or the apparatus802ofFIG.8.

The UE104can include a variety of components (such as structural, hardware components) used for carrying out one or more functions described herein. For example, these components can include one or more processors902(hereinafter referred to collectively as “the processor902”), one or more memory devices904(hereinafter referred to collectively as “the memory904”), one or more transmitters916(hereinafter referred to collectively as “the transmitter916”), and one or more receivers918(hereinafter referred to collectively as “the receiver918”). The processor902may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory904to perform the operations described herein. In some implementations, the processor902includes or corresponds to one or more of the receive processor356, the transmit processor368, and the controller/processor359, and the memory904includes or corresponds to the memory360.

The memory904includes or is configured to store PUCCH information920, repetition factor information924, and time interval information926. In some implementations, the PUCCH information920may be configured a PUCCH resource set. Additionally, or alternatively, the PUCCH may be modified during operation, such as dynamically updated based on DCI or a medium access control-control element (MAC-CE), as illustrative, non-limiting examples. The PUCCH information920may include PUCCH types921and beam information922.

The PUCCH types921may include PUCCH carrying ACK/NACK for a scheduled PDSCH, and PUCCHs other than the PUCCH carrying ACK/NACK for the scheduled PDSCH. The PUCCHs other than the PUCCH carrying ACK/NACK for the scheduled PDSCH may include ACK/NACK for a scheduled PDCCH, ACK/NACK for SPS, CSI on PUCCH, an SR, or a combination thereof, as illustrative, non-limiting examples. In some implementations, the PUCCH types921include one or more PUCCH types selected from the group including PUCCH carrying ACK/NACK for a scheduled PDSCH, ACK/NACK for a scheduled PDCCH, ACK/NACK for SPS, CSI on PUCCH, and an SR. In some other implementations, the one or more PUCCH types may be selected from another group that includes one or more fewer of the PUCCH carrying the ACK/NACK for the scheduled PDSCH, the ACK/NACK for the scheduled PDCCH, the ACK/NACK for the SPS, the CSI on PUCCH, and the SR. Additionally, although PUCCH types921is described as multiple PUCCH types, in some implementations, PUCCH type921may include at least one PUCCH type, such as a single PUCCH type. The at least one PUCCH type may include a PUCCH other than PUCCH carrying ACK/NACK for a scheduled PDSCH.

The beam information922may include or indicate one or more beams, such as one or more beam configurations. To illustrate, the one or more beam configurations may include a beam pattern, a transmit power, or a combination thereof, as illustrative, non-limiting examples. A beam of the one or more beams may be used for an associated PUCCH, an associated PDSCH (in situations where PUCCH carries ACK/NACK), or a combination thereof.

The repetition factor information924may include or indicate one or more repetition factors. In some implementations, the repetition factor information924indicates, for each PUCCH type of the PUCCH types921, an associated repetition factor. In some implementations, the repetition factor information924may include multiple sets of repetition factors for different sets of PUCCH types. To illustrate, each set of repetition factors, such as a set of one or more repetition factors, may be associated with an index value. For example, a first index value may correspond to a first set of one or more repetition factors for a first set of one or more PUCCH types. A second index value may correspond to a second set of one or more repetition factors a second set of one or more PUCCH types. A third index value may correspond to a third set of one or more repetition factors for the second set of one or more PUCCH types. A fourth index value may correspond to a single repetition factor of each PUCCH type of a fourth set of one or more PUCCH types. It is noted that the described index values are for purposes of illustration only and are not to be limiting such that other implementations of an index value scheme are possible. In some implementations, the repetition factor information924, or a repetition factor of an associated PUCCH type may be preconfigured, such as according to a standard, configured based on a configuration message, such as a radio resource control (RRC) message, dynamically determined based on a control message, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, the repetition factor information924may include or indicate one or more repetition factors for one or more PUCCH types based on a PUCCH resource set, PUCCH format, a UCI size, UCI content, or a combination thereof.

The time interval information926may include or indicate one or more time intervals that indicate a time period (or a duration) during which a repetition factor is valid. A time interval of validity of a PUCCH repetition factor may depend on a PUCCH resource set, PUCCH format, a UCI size, UCI content, or a combination thereof. It is noted that if a repetition factor is update or overwritten, a time interval of the prior repetition factor may be ceased and a new time interval associated with the updated repetition factor may begin.

The transmitter916is configured to transmit reference signals, control information and data to one or more other devices, and the receiver918is configured to receive references signals, synchronization signals, control information and data from one or more other devices. For example, the transmitter916may transmit signaling, control information and data to, and the receiver918may receive signaling, control information and data from, the base station102. In some implementations, the transmitter916and the receiver918may be integrated in one or more transceivers. Additionally or alternatively, the transmitter916or the receiver918may include or correspond to one or more components of the UE350described with reference toFIG.3.

The base station102can include a variety of components (such as structural, hardware components) used for carrying out one or more functions described herein. For example, these components can include one or more processors952(hereinafter referred to collectively as “the processor952”), one or more memory devices954(hereinafter referred to collectively as “the memory954”), one or more transmitters956(hereinafter referred to collectively as “the transmitter956”), and one or more receivers958(hereinafter referred to collectively as “the receiver958”). The processor952may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory954to perform the operations described herein. In some implementations, the processor952includes or corresponds to one or more of the receive processor370, the transmit processor316, and the controller/processor375, and the memory954includes or corresponds to the memory376.

The memory954includes or is configured to store PUCCH information960, repetition factor information964, and time interval information966. The PUCCH information960, the repetition factor information964, and the time interval information966may include or correspond to the PUCCH information920, the repetition factor information924, and the time interval information926, respectively. The PUCCH information960includes PUCCH types961and beam information962. The PUCCH types921and the beam information922may include or correspond to the PUCCH types921and the beam information922, respectively.

The transmitter956is configured to transmit reference signals, synchronization signals, control information and data to one or more other devices, and the receiver958is configured to receive reference signals, control information and data from one or more other devices. For example, the transmitter956may transmit signaling, control information and data to, and the receiver958may receive signaling, control information and data from, the UE104. In some implementations, the transmitter956and the receiver958may be integrated in one or more transceivers. Additionally or alternatively, the transmitter956or the receiver958may include or correspond to one or more components of base station310described with reference toFIG.3.

In some implementations, the wireless communications system900implements a 5G New Radio (NR) network. For example, the wireless communications system900may include multiple 5G-capable UEs104and multiple 5G-capable base stations102, such as UEs and base stations configured to operate in accordance with a 5G NR network protocol such as that defined by the 3GPP.

During operation of the wireless communications system900, the base station102transmits a configuration message968to the UE104. The configuration message968may include or correspond to an RRC message or RRC signaling. In some implementations, the configuration message968may include or indicate a PUCCH resource set, one or more repetition factors, scheduling information, such as PDSCH, or a combination thereof, as illustrative, non-limiting examples. Although the base station102is described as transmitting the configuration message968, in other implementations, transmission of the control message970by the base station102is optional and may not be performed. In some implementations, the configuration message may include beam information962, time interval information966, or a combination thereof. The UE104may receive the configuration message968and configure one or more parameters of the UE104based on the configuration message968.

The base station102may select one or more repetition factors based on the repetition factor information964. For example, the base station102may select a set of one or more repetition factors for a set of one or more PUCCH types. The one or more PUCCH types may include at least one PUCCH type other than PUCCH carrying ACK/NACK for a scheduled PDSCH. In some implementations, the set of one or more repetition factors for the set of one or more PUCCH types may be associated with an index value, such as an index value of a set of predefined index values where each index value corresponds to a predefined option. Additionally, or alternatively, selecting the one or more repetition factors may include determining whether to increase or decrease a current set of one or more repetition factors. In such implementations, the index value may correspond to an amount to increase or decrease the current set of one or more replication factors.

In some implementations, the base station102may select the one or more repetition factors based on UCI, interference, or a combination thereof. For example, if a measured interference value is greater than or equal to a threshold, the base station102may increase an existing repetition value for a PUCCH type. In some implementations, a repetition factor may be selected for a PUCCH type based on performance, a signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), or a combination thereof. To illustrate, different PUCCH formats and different UCI payloads may have different performance considerations or requirements.

The base station102generates DCI972that includes PRI974, such as an enhanced PRI. The PRI974may include or correspond to a repetition indicator, such as a repetition indicator that indicates or is associated with a repetition factor. In some implementations, the PRI974includes a bitfield of one or more bits. The base station102may populate the bitfield, such as a portion or an entirety of the bitfield, to indicate a value of the one or more repetition factors. The value may correspond to an index value associated with the selected set of one or more repetition factors for the set of one or more PUCCH types. In some implementations, the value, or a portion of the bitfield, may include or correspond to the repetition indicator. Additionally, or alternatively, in some implementations, the bitfield may be the same size as a conventional PRI bitfield associated with a repetition factor of PUCCH carrying ACK/NACK for a scheduled PDSCH. In some other implementations, the bitfield may include a first portion that correspond to the conventional PRI bitfield and a second portion of one or more bits that indicates the index value. It is noted that an index value may represent a first repetition factor of a first PUCCH type and a second repetition factor of a second PUCCH type, where the first repetition factor and the second repetition factor are the same value or different values. Although PRI974, such as a set of one or more bits, is described as being included in DCI, in other implementations, PRI974or a set of one or more bits associated with PRI974, may be included in RRC or a medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) to indicate a repetition factor of one or more PUCCH types, such as dynamically indicate a repetition factor of multiple PUCCH types.

The base station102generates a control message970that includes the DCI972and transmits the control message970. Transmission of the control message970may enable the base station102to indicate one or more dynamic PUCCH repetition factors as part of the PRI974, such as an enhanced PRI bitfield, in the DCI972.

The UE104receives the control message970and parses the control message970to identify the PRI974. Based on the PRI974, such as the bitfield of the PRI974, the UE104may determine the set of one or more repetition factors (for the set of one or more PUCCH types) indicated by the base station102. The UE104may update the repetition factor information924to indicate the new set of one or more repetition factors to be used. The UE104may maintain the new set of one or more repetition factors for a time interval based on the time interval information926or until the one or more repetition factors are overwritten. For example, the UE104may overwrite the one or more repetition factors based on receipt of a new configuration message968or a new control message970(including a PRI974, such as an enhanced PRI).

The UE104may transmit one or more messages, such as a representative massage976, based on the set of one or more repetition factors. For example, the message976may be associated with a PUCCH type and the UE104may repeat transmission of the message976a number of times based on a repetition factor of the PUCCH type. In some implementations, the UE104may use the repetition factor indicated by the PRI for a time interval, based on a beam, based on PUCCH resource set, a PUCCH format, a UCI size, UCI content, or a combination thereof. For example, the UE104may determine the PUCCH type of the message976, whether a time interval applies, a beam for transmitting the message, a PUCCH resource set, a PUCCH format associated with the message976, a UCI size associated with the message976, UCI content associated with the message976, or a combination thereof. Based on the determination by the UE104, the UE104may select and apply the repetition factor indicated by the PRI974or another repetition factor.

In some implementations, the set of one or more repetition factors indicated by the PRI974may be associated with PUCCH having a time interval or a set of time intervals. The time interval of validity of PUCCH repetition factor may depend on the PUCCH resource set, PUCCH format, UCI size, UCI content, or a combination thereof. For example, one or more time intervals may have been indicated by a PUCCH resource set. As another example, the time interval information926may indicate a time interval for a PUCCH type or a PUCCH format. To illustrate, a first PUCCH format, such as PUCCH format 3, may have a first time interval and be valid for 1 millisecond (ms), and a second PUCCH format, such as PUCCH format may have a second time interval and be valid for 10 ms, as illustrate, non-limiting examples. As another example, a repetition factor indicated by the PRI974may be valid for a time period for CSI on PUCCH, but no time period may be applicable for ACK/NACK on SPS. As another example, the time interval information may be based on UCI content. To illustrate, a first PUCCH type, such as CSI on PUCCH, may be valid for a longer time period than an ACK/NACK.

In some implementations, the PRI974may indicate whether or not a time interval is enabled or disabled, a duration of a time interval, or a combination thereof. For example, at least a portion of a bitfield of the PRI974may include a value, such as an index value, that indicates a time interval for each of one or more PUCCH types, a duration of the time interval, whether the time interval is enabled or disabled, or a combination thereof. If a time interval is enable for PUCCH type, after expiration of the time interval, the UE104may revert back to a pre-configured repetition factor, such as repetition factor of a standard, or a previous repetition factor, such as a repetition factor indicated by the configuration message968or a repetition factor that was most recent prior to receipt of the PRI974.

In some implementations, the repetition factor indicated by the PRI974, such as a PRI bitfield, may depend on an associated beam, such as a beam that is used for that PUCCH, a beam for its associated PDSCH (for the case of PUCCH that carries ACK/NACK), or a combination thereof. For example, a configuration of a PUCCH resource set may indicate different repetition factors for different beams and the PRI974may affect the repetition factor accordingly. To illustrate, the PUCCH resource set may indicate a first repetition factor of a first beam and a second repetition factor of a second beam, and the PRI974may indicate to increase, by a factor of 0.5, 1, 2, 3, etc., a first repetition factor of a first beam and decrease, by a factor of 0.5, 1, 2, 3, etc., a second repetition factor of the second beam. In some implementations, a resulting repetition may be an integer or will be rounded up or down to an integer. As another example, the PUCCH repetition factor indicated by the PRI974, such as by the bitfield of the PRI974may be valid for PUCCHs that are associated with the same beam as the PUCCH carrying ACK/NNACK for the scheduled PDSCH, such as PDSCH scheduled by the DCI972that includes that PRI974.

In some implementations, the repetition factor indicated by the PRI974may depend on the PUCCH resource set, PUCCH format, UCI size, UCI content. For example, a repetition factor indicated by the PRI974may increase, maintain, decrease a preconfigured repetition factor, such as a repetition factor indicated by a standard or by the configuration message968, for a PUCCH format. As another example, a repetition factor indicated by the PRI974may increase, maintain, or decrease a preconfigured repetition factor of a PUCCH resource set. As another example, a repetition factor indicated by the PRI974may be applicable to CSI, ACK/NACK for SPS, SR, or a combination thereof.

As described with reference toFIG.9, the present disclosure provides techniques for supporting the PRI974, such as enhanced PRI associated with a PUCCH repetition factor, for multiple PUCCH types. The PRI974may be included in the DCI972and enable dynamic PUCCH repetition factor indication for one or more PUCCHs that do not have an associated DCI. The dynamic PUCCH repetition factor may reduce overhead and signaling to set or update a repetition factor of multiple PUCCH types as compared to a conventional PRI.

FIG.10is a flow diagram illustrating an example process1000of UE operations for communication. Operations of the process1000may be performed by a UE, such as the UE104described above with reference toFIG.1or9, the UE350ofFIG.3, the UE402ofFIG.4, the apparatus802ofFIG.8, or a UE as described with reference toFIG.11. For example, example operations (also referred to as “blocks”) of the process1000may enable the UE104to support a PRI for a repetition factor, such as an enhanced repetition factor associated with a PUCCH repetition factor. To illustrate, the PRI may be associated with multiple PUCCH types.

In block1002, the UE receives DCI including a PRI including a repetition indicator associated with a repetition factor, the repetition factor associated with multiple PUCCH types. For example, the DCI and the PRI may include or correspond to the DCI972and the PRI974. The multiple PUCCH types may include or correspond to the PUCCH types921or the PUCCH types961.

In block1004, the UE transmits, in association with the repetition factor, a message associated with one of the multiple PUCCH types. For example, the message may include or correspond to the message976.

FIG.11is a block diagram conceptually illustrating a design of a UE1100. The UE1100may be configured to perform operations, including the blocks of the process1000described with reference toFIG.10. In some implementations, the UE1100includes the structure, hardware, and components shown and described with reference to the UE350ofFIG.3or the UE104of9. For example, the UE1100includes the controller/processor359, which operates to execute logic or computer instructions stored in the memory360, as well as controlling the components of the UE1100that provide the features and functionality of the UE1100. The UE1100, under control of the controller/processor359, transmits and receives signals via wireless radios1101a-rand the antennas352. The wireless radios1101a-rinclude various components and hardware, as illustrated inFIG.3for the UE350, including the receiver354RX, the receive processor356, the transmitter354TX, the transmit processor368, or a combination thereof.

As shown, the memory360may include receive logic1102and DCI processing logic1103. The receive logic1102may be configured to receive a control message, such as control message970, or DCI, such as DCI972. The DCI processing logic1103may be configured to process DCI, such as DCI972. For example, the DCI processing logic1103may identify a PRI included in the DCI, determine a repetition factor of one or more PUCCH types based on the PRI, or a combination thereof. The UE1100may receive signals from or transmit signals to one or more network entities, such as the base station102ofFIG.1or9, the base station310ofFIG.3, the base station404ofFIG.4, the apparatus602ofFIG.6, or a base station as illustrated inFIG.13.

In some implementations, the UE1100may be configured to perform the process1000ofFIG.10. To illustrate, the UE1100may execute, under control of the controller/processor359, the receive logic1102and the DCI processing logic1103stored in the memory360. The execution environment of the receive logic1102provides the functionality to perform at least the operations in block1002. The execution environment of the DCI processing logic1103provides the functionality to perform at least the operations in block1004.

FIG.12is a flow diagram illustrating an example process1200of base station operations for communication. Operations of the process1200may be performed by a base station, such as the base station102ofFIG.1or9, the base station310ofFIG.3, the base station404ofFIG.4, the apparatus602ofFIG.6, or a base station as illustrated inFIG.13. For example, example operations of the process1200may enable the base station102to support a PRI for a repetition factor, such as an enhanced repetition factor associated with a PUCCH repetition factor. To illustrate, the PRI may be associated with multiple PUCCH types.

In block1202, the base station generates DCI including a PRI including a repetition indicator associated with a repetition factor, the repetition indicator associated with multiple PUCCH types. For example, the DCI and the PRI may include or correspond to the DCI972and the PRI974. The multiple PUCCH types may include or correspond to the PUCCH types921or the PUCCH types961.

In block1204, the base station transmits the DCI. For example, the base station may transmit the DCI in a control message, such as the control message970. The control message may include an RRC message, a MAC-CE, or the like.

FIG.13is a block diagram conceptually illustrating a design of a base station1300. The base station1300may be configured to perform operations, including the blocks of the process1200described with reference toFIG.12. In some implementations, the base station1300includes the structure, hardware, and components shown and described with reference to the base station102ofFIG.1or9, the base station310ofFIG.3, the base station404ofFIG.4, or the apparatus602ofFIG.6. For example, the base station1300may include the controller/processor375, which operates to execute logic or computer instructions stored in the memory376, as well as controlling the components of the base station1300that provide the features and functionality of the base station1300. The base station1300, under control of the controller/processor375, transmits and receives signals via wireless radios1301a-tand the antennas318. The wireless radios1301a-tinclude various components and hardware, as illustrated inFIG.3for the base station310, including the transmitter318TX, the transmit processor316, the receiver318RX, the receive processor370, or a combination thereof.

As shown, the memory376may include DCI generation logic1302and transmission logic1303. The DCI generation logic1302may be configured to generate DCI, such as the DCI972. The DCI may include a PRI, such as the PRI974, associated with a repetition factor of one or more PUCCH types. The transmission logic1303is configured to transmit DCI, one or more messages, such as a control message970, or a combination thereof. The base station1300may receive signals from or transmit signals to one or more UEs, such as the UE104ofFIG.1or9, the UE350ofFIG.3, the apparatus802ofFIG.8, or the UE1100ofFIG.11.

In some implementations, the base station1300may be configured to perform the process1200ofFIG.12. To illustrate, the base station1300may execute, under control of the controller/processor375, the DCI generation logic1302and the transmission logic1303stored in the memory376. The execution environment of the DCI generation logic1302provides the functionality to perform at least the operations in block1202. The execution environment of the transmission logic1303provides the functionality to perform at least the operations in block1204.

It is noted that one or more blocks (or operations) described with reference toFIGS.4,5,7,10, and12may be combined with one or more blocks (or operations) described with reference to another of the figures. For example, one or more blocks (or operations) ofFIG.10may be combined with one or more blocks (or operations) ofFIG.12. As another example, one or more blocks associated withFIG.5or7may be combined with one or more blocks (or operations) associated withFIG.4,10, or12. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more operations described above with reference toFIGS.4,5,7,10, and12may be combined with one or more operations described with reference toFIG.1,2,6,8,9,11, or13.

The following examples are illustrative only and may be combined with aspects of other implementation or teachings described herein, without limitation.

In some aspects, techniques for supporting a PRI may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below or in connection with one or more other processes or devices described elsewhere herein. In a first aspect, techniques for supporting a PRI may include configuring DCI that schedules a first PDSCH and includes a PRI indicating a repetition factor of a first PUCCH associated with the first PDSCH and at least one additional PUCCH; transmitting the DCI having the PRI to at least one user equipment (UE); and monitoring for the at least one additional PUCCH, from the at least one UE, wherein the at least one additional PUCCH is transmitted with a repetition factor based on a preconfiguration of PUCCH resource sets and a selection of a PUCCH resource set by the PRI. In some examples, the techniques in the first aspect may be implemented in a method or process. In some other examples, the techniques of the first aspect may be implemented in a wireless communication device such as a base station or a component of a base station. In some examples, the wireless communication device may include at least one processing unit or system (which may include an application processor, a modem or other components) and at least one memory device coupled to the processing unit. The processing unit may be configured to perform operations described herein with respect to the wireless communication device. In some examples, the memory device includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium having program code stored thereon that, when executed by the processing unit, is configured to cause the wireless communication device to perform the operations described herein. Additionally, or alternatively, the wireless communication device may include one or more means configured to perform operations described herein.

In a second aspect, in combination with the first aspect, the at least one additional PUCCH is associated with a periodic CSI or an SPS feedback.

In a third aspect, in combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, the at least one additional PUCCH is associated with at least one additional PDSCH other than the first PDSCH scheduled by the DCI.

In a fourth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the third aspect, that the repetition factor is used to configure the at least one additional PUCCH based on a configuration of the first PUCCH.

In a fifth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the fourth aspect, the repetition factor of the at least one additional PUCCH is a factor of the repetition factor of the first PUCCH.

In a sixth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the fifth aspect, the repetition factor is used to configure the at least one additional PUCCH based on a format of the at least one additional PUCCH.

In a seventh aspect, in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the sixth aspect, different PUCCH formats of the at least one additional PUCCH have different repetition factors.

In an eighth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the seventh aspect, the repetition factor is used to configure the at least one additional PUCCH based on a size of a UCI or based on a content of the UCI.

In a ninth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the eighth aspect, the techniques further include assigning the PUCCH resource sets into a plurality of different groups, wherein each of the plurality of different groups is associated with a different repetition factor, the plurality of different groups including at least a first group and a second group; and selecting a first PUCCH resource set from the first group or the second group, where selection of the first PUCCH resource set switches the repetition factor of other PUCCH resource sets to the repetition factor associated with the group from which the first PUCCH resource set is selected.

In a tenth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the ninth aspect, the first PUCCH resource set is selected from the first group having a first repetition factor, wherein the repetition factor of the other PUCCH resource sets is switched to the first repetition factor.

In an eleventh aspect, in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the tenth aspect, the repetition factor is valid until overwritten by another PRI.

In a twelfth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the eleventh aspect, the repetition factor is valid for a time duration, wherein the time duration is determined based on the selected resource set.

In some aspects, techniques for supporting a PRI may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below or in connection with one or more other processes or devices described elsewhere herein. In a thirteenth aspect, techniques for supporting a PRI may include receiving a configuration for DCI that schedules a first PDSCH and includes a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resource indicator (PRI) indicating a repetition factor of a first PUCCH associated with the first PDSCH and at least one additional PUCCH; modifying transmission of the at least one additional PUCCH associated with the repetition factor of the first PUCCH; and transmitting the at least one additional PUCCH, to a base station, wherein the at least one additional PUCCH is transmitted with the repetition factor based on a preconfiguration of PUCCH resource sets and a selection of a PUCCH resource set by the PRI. In some examples, the techniques in the thirteenth aspect may be implemented in a method or process. In some other examples, the techniques of the thirteenth aspect may be implemented in a wireless communication device such as a UE or a component of a UE. In some examples, the wireless communication device may include at least one processing unit or system (which may include an application processor, a modem or other components) and at least one memory device coupled to the processing unit. The processing unit may be configured to perform operations described herein with respect to the wireless communication device. In some examples, the memory device includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium having program code stored thereon that, when executed by the processing unit, is configured to cause the wireless communication device to perform the operations described herein. Additionally, or alternatively, the wireless communication device may include one or more means configured to perform operations described herein.

In a fourteenth aspect, in combination the thirteenth aspect, the at least one additional PUCCH is associated with a periodic CSI or a SPS feedback.

In a fifteenth aspect, in combination with one or more of the thirteenth aspect or the fourteenth aspect, the at least one additional PUCCH is associated with at least one additional PDSCH other than the first PDSCH scheduled by the DCI.

In a sixteenth aspect, in combination with one or more of the thirteenth aspect through the fifteenth aspect, the repetition factor is used to configure the at least one additional PUCCH based on a configuration of the first PUCCH.

In a seventeenth aspect, in combination with one or more of the thirteenth aspect through the sixteenth aspect, the repetition factor of the at least one additional PUCCH is a factor of the repetition factor of the first PUCCH.

In an eighteenth aspect in combination with one or more of the thirteenth aspect through the seventeenth aspect, the repetition factor is used to configure the at least one additional PUCCH based on a format of the at least one additional PUCCH.

In a nineteenth aspect, in combination with one or more of the thirteenth aspect through the eighteenth aspect, different PUCCH formats of the at least one additional PUCCH have different repetition factors.

In a twentieth aspect, in combination with one or more of the thirteenth aspect through the nineteenth aspect, the repetition factor is used to configure the at least one additional PUCCH based on a size of a UCI or based on a content of the UCI.

In a twenty-first aspect, in combination with one or more of the thirteenth aspect through the twentieth aspect, the techniques further include receiving a configuration assigning the PUCCH resource sets into a plurality of different groups, where each of the plurality of different groups is associated with a different repetition factor, the plurality of different groups including at least a first group and a second group; and receiving an indication of a selection of a first PUCCH resource set from the first group or the second group, where selection of the first PUCCH resource set switches the repetition factor of other PUCCH resource sets to the repetition factor associated with the group from which the first PUCCH resource set is selected.

In a twenty-second aspect, in combination with one or more of the thirteenth aspect through the twenty-first aspect, the first PUCCH resource set is selected from the first group having a first repetition factor, where the repetition factor of the other PUCCH resource sets is switched to the first repetition factor.

In a twenty-third aspect, in combination with one or more of the thirteenth aspect through the twenty-second aspect, the repetition factor is valid until overwritten by another PRI.

In a twenty-fourth aspect, in combination with one or more of the thirteenth aspect through the twenty-third aspect, the repetition factor is valid for a time duration, wherein the time duration is determined based on the selected resource set.

In some aspects, techniques for supporting a PRI for a repetition factor may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below or in connection with one or more other processes or devices described elsewhere herein. In a twenty-fifth aspect, techniques for supporting a PRI may include receiving DCI including a PRI of a repetition factor. The PRI is associated with multiple PUCCH types. The techniques further include, transmitting, associated with the repetition factor, a message associated with one of the multiple PUCCH types. In some examples, the techniques in the twenty-fifth aspect may be implemented in a method or process. In some other examples, the techniques of the twenty-fifth aspect may be implemented in a wireless communication device such as a UE or a component of a UE. In some examples, the wireless communication device may include at least one processing unit or system (which may include an application processor, a modem or other components) and at least one memory device coupled to the processing unit. The processing unit may be configured to perform operations described herein with respect to the wireless communication device. In some examples, the memory device includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium having program code stored thereon that, when executed by the processing unit, is configured to cause the wireless communication device to perform the operations described herein. Additionally, or alternatively, the wireless communication device may include one or more means configured to perform operations described herein.

In some aspects, techniques for supporting a PRI may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below or in connection with one or more other processes or devices described elsewhere herein. In a twenty-sixth aspect, techniques for supporting a PRI may include generating DCI including a PRI of a repetition factor. The PRI associated with multiple PUCCH types. The techniques further include transmitting the DCI. In some examples, the techniques in the twenty-sixth aspect may be implemented in a method or process. In some other examples, the techniques of the twenty-sixth aspect may be implemented in a wireless communication device such as a base station or a component of a base station. In some examples, the wireless communication device may include at least one processing unit or system (which may include an application processor, a modem or other components) and at least one memory device coupled to the processing unit. The processing unit may be configured to perform operations described herein with respect to the wireless communication device. In some examples, the memory device includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium having program code stored thereon that, when executed by the processing unit, is configured to cause the wireless communication device to perform the operations described herein. Additionally, or alternatively, the wireless communication device may include one or more means configured to perform operations described herein.

In a twenty-seventh aspect, in combination with the twenty-fifth aspect or the twenty-sixth aspect, the multiple PUCCH types include ACK/NACK for a scheduled PDCCH, ACK/NACK for SPS, CSI on PUCCH, an SR, or a combination thereof.

In a twenty-eighth aspect, in combination with one or more of the twenty-fifth aspect through the twenty-seventh aspect, a value of the PRI indicates an index associated with a repetition factor of each type of the multiple PUCCH types.

In a twenty-ninth aspect, in combination with the twenty-eighth aspect, the PRI includes a bit field that represents the index.

In a thirtieth aspect, in combination with one or more of the twenty-fifth aspect through the twenty-ninth aspect, the PRI is valid for one or more time intervals.

In a thirty-first aspect, in combination with the thirtieth aspect, a duration of at least one interval of the one or more time intervals is based on a PUCCH resource set, a PUCCH format, a UCI size, UCI content, or a combination thereof.

In a thirty-second aspect, in combination with one or more of the twenty-fifth aspect through the thirty-first aspect, the PRI is based on a beam associated with PUCCH, a beam associated with PDCCH of an ACK/NACK, or a combination thereof.

In a thirty-third aspect, in combination with the thirty-second aspect, a value associated with the PRI indicates different repetition factors for different beams based on a configuration of a PUCCH resource set.

In a thirty-fourth aspect, in combination with the thirty-second aspect, a value of the PRI is associated with a repetition factor that is valid for PUCCHs that are associated with the same beam as the PUCCH carrying ACK/NACK for scheduled PDSCH.

In a thirty-fifth aspect, in combination with one or more of the twenty-fifth aspect through the thirty-fourth aspect, the repetition factor indicated by the PRI is based on a PUCCH resource set, a PUCCH format, a UCI size, UCI content, or a combination thereof.

In some aspects, techniques for supporting a PRI may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below or in connection with one or more other processes or devices described elsewhere herein. In a thirty-sixth aspect, techniques for supporting a PRI may include receiving a first configuration for DCI that schedules a first PDSCH and includes PRI indicating a repetition factor of a first PUCCH associated with the first PDSCH and at least one additional PUCCH. The techniques further include receiving a second configuration assigning a plurality of PUCCH resources into a plurality of different groups, each of the plurality of different groups associated with a different repetition factor, the plurality of different groups including at least a first group and a second group. The techniques also include receiving an indication of a selection of a first PUCCH resource from the first group or the second group, wherein selection of the first PUCCH resource switches the repetition factor of other PUCCH resources to the repetition factor associated with the group from which the first PUCCH resource is selected. The techniques include modifying transmission of the at least one additional PUCCH associated with the repetition factor of the first PUCCH, and transmitting the at least one additional PUCCH, to a base station, the at least one additional PUCCH transmitted with the repetition factor based on a preconfiguration of PUCCH resource sets including the plurality of PUCCH resources and the selection of the first PUCCH resource associated with the PRI. In some examples, the techniques in the thirty-sixth aspect may be implemented in a method or process. In some other examples, the techniques of the thirty-sixth aspect may be implemented in a wireless communication device such as a UE or a component of a UE. In some examples, the wireless communication device may include at least one processing unit or system (which may include an application processor, a modem or other components) and at least one memory device coupled to the processing unit. The processing unit may be configured to perform operations described herein with respect to the wireless communication device. In some examples, the memory device includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium having program code stored thereon that, when executed by the processing unit, is configured to cause the wireless communication device to perform the operations described herein. Additionally, or alternatively, the wireless communication device may include one or more means configured to perform operations described herein.

In a thirty-seventh aspect, in combination with the thirty-sixth aspect, the at least one additional PUCCH is associated with a periodic CSI or an SPS feedback.

In a thirty-eighth aspect, in combination with the thirty-sixth aspect or the thirty-seventh aspect, the at least one additional PUCCH is associated with at least one additional PDSCH other than the first PDSCH scheduled by the DCI.

In a thirty-ninth aspect, in combination with one or more of the thirty-sixth aspect through the thirty-eighth aspect, the at least one additional PUCCH is configured based on a configuration of the first PUCCH.

In a fortieth aspect, in combination with the thirty-ninth aspect, the repetition factor of the at least one additional PUCCH is a factor of the repetition factor of the first PUCCH.

In a forty-first aspect, in combination with the thirty-sixth aspect through the fortieth aspect, the at least one additional PUCCH is configured based on a format of the at least one additional PUCCH, and different PUCCH formats of the at least one additional PUCCH have different repetition factors.

In a forty-second aspect, in combination with the thirty-sixth aspect through the forty-first aspect, the at least one additional PUCCH is configured based on a size of a UCI or based on a content of the UCI.

In a forty-third aspect, in combination with the thirty-sixth aspect through the forty-second aspect, the first PUCCH resource is selected from the first group having a first repetition factor, wherein the repetition factor of the other PUCCH resources of the first group are switched to the first repetition factor.

In a forty-fourth aspect, in combination with the thirty-sixth aspect through the forty-third aspect, the repetition factor is valid until overwritten based on another PRI.

In a forty-fifth aspect, in combination with the thirty-sixth aspect through the forty-fourth aspect, the repetition factor is valid for a time duration, where the time duration is determined based on the selected first PUCCH resource.

In some aspects, techniques for supporting a PRI may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below or in connection with one or more other processes or devices described elsewhere herein. In a forty-sixth aspect, techniques for supporting a PRI may include receiving downlink control information (DCI) including a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resource indicator (PRI) that includes a repetition indicator associated with a repetition factor, the repetition factor associated with multiple PUCCH types. The techniques also include transmitting, associated with the repetition factor, a message associated with one of the multiple PUCCH types. In some examples, the techniques in the forty-sixth aspect may be implemented in a method or process. In some other examples, the techniques of the forty-sixth aspect may be implemented in a wireless communication device such as a UE or a component of a UE. In some examples, the wireless communication device may include at least one processing unit or system (which may include an application processor, a modem or other components) and at least one memory device coupled to the processing unit. The processing unit may be configured to perform operations described herein with respect to the wireless communication device. In some examples, the memory device includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium having program code stored thereon that, when executed by the processing unit, is configured to cause the wireless communication device to perform the operations described herein. Additionally, or alternatively, the wireless communication device may include one or more means configured to perform operations described herein.

In a forty-seventh aspect, in combination with the forty-sixth aspect, the multiple PUCCH types include ACK/NACK for a scheduled PDCCH, ACK/NACK for SPS, periodic CSI on PUCCH, a SR, or a combination thereof.

In a forty-eighth aspect, in combination with the forty-sixth aspect or the forty-seventh aspect, a value of the repetition indicator indicates an index associated with, for each type of the multiple PUCCH types, a repetition factor of the type, and

In a forty-ninth aspect, in combination with the forty-eighth aspect, the DCI includes a bit field associated with the index.

In a fiftieth aspect, in combination with one or more of the forty-sixth aspect through the forty-ninth aspect, the repetition factor is valid for one or more time intervals, and a duration of at least one interval of the one or more time intervals is based on a PUCCH resource set, a PUCCH format, a UCI size, UCI content, or a combination thereof.

In a fifty-first aspect, in combination with one or more of the forty-sixth aspect through the fortieth aspect, the repetition factor is based on a beam associated with PUCCH, a beam associated with PDCCH of an ACK/NACK, or a combination thereof.

In a fifty-second aspect, in combination with the fifty-first aspect, a value associated with the repetition factor indicates different repetition factors for different beams based on a configuration of a PUCCH resource set.

In a fifty-third aspect, in combination with the fifty-first aspect, the a value associated with the repetition factor is valid for PUCCHs that are associated with the same beam as the PUCCH carrying ACK/NACK for scheduled PDSCH.

In a fifty-fourth aspect, in combination with the forty-sixth aspect through the fifty-third aspect, the repetition factor indicated by the PRI is based on a PUCCH resource set, a PUCCH format, a UCI size, UCI content, or a combination thereof.

Those of skill in the art would understand that information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

Components, the functional blocks, and the modules described herein with respect toFIGS.1-13include processors, electronics devices, hardware devices, electronics components, logical circuits, memories, software codes, firmware codes, etc., or any combination thereof. Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, application, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, or functions, among other examples, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language or otherwise. In addition, features discussed herein may be implemented via specialized processor circuitry, via executable instructions, or combinations thereof.

Those of skill would further appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present disclosure. Skilled artisans will also readily recognize that the order or combination of components, methods, or interactions that are described herein are merely examples and that the components, methods, or interactions of the various aspects of the present disclosure may be combined or performed in ways other than those illustrated and described herein.

The various illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules, circuits and algorithm processes described in connection with the implementations disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. The interchangeability of hardware and software has been described generally, in terms of functionality, and illustrated in the various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits and processes described above. Whether such functionality is implemented in hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.

The hardware and data processing apparatus used to implement the various illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules and circuits described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose single- or multi-chip processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. In some implementations, a processor may be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. In some implementations, particular processes and methods may be performed by circuitry that is specific to a given function.

In one or more aspects, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, digital electronic circuitry, computer software, firmware, including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents thereof, or in any combination thereof. Implementations of the subject matter described in this specification also can be implemented as one or more computer programs, that is one or more modules of computer program instructions, encoded on a computer storage media for execution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus.

If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. The processes of a method or algorithm disclosed herein may be implemented in a processor-executable software module which may reside on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that can be enabled to transfer a computer program from one place to another. A storage media may be any available media that may be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that may be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that may be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection can be properly termed a computer-readable medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media. Additionally, the operations of a method or algorithm may reside as one or any combination or set of codes and instructions on a machine readable medium and computer-readable medium, which may be incorporated into a computer program product.

The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. 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.

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.” Terms such as “if,” “when,” and “while” should be interpreted to mean “under the condition that” rather than imply an immediate temporal relationship or reaction. That is, these phrases, such as “when,” do not imply an immediate action in response to or during the occurrence of an action, but simply imply that if a condition is met then an action will occur, but without requiring a specific or immediate time constraint for the action to occur. The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. Combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, C, or any combination thereof” include any combination of A, B, and/or C, and may include multiples of A, multiples of B, or multiples of C. Specifically, combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, C, or any combination thereof” may be A only, B only, C only, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C, where any such combinations may contain one or more member or members of A, B, or C. Additionally, a person having ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate, the terms “upper” and “lower” are sometimes used for ease of describing the figures, and indicate relative positions corresponding to the orientation of the figure on a properly oriented page, and may not reflect the proper orientation of any device as implemented.

All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. The words “module,” “mechanism,” “element,” “device,” and the like may not be a substitute for the word “means.” As such, no claim element is to be construed as a means plus function unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.”

Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate implementations also can be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation also can be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Further, the drawings may schematically depict one more example processes in the form of a flow diagram. However, other operations that are not depicted can be incorporated in the example processes that are schematically illustrated. For example, one or more additional operations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or between any of the illustrated operations. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products. Additionally, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims. In some cases, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results.