Patent ID: 12262333

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects of the disclosure are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to any specific structure or function presented throughout this disclosure. Rather, these aspects are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. One skilled in the art should appreciate that the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover any aspect of the disclosure disclosed herein, whether implemented independently of or combined with any other aspect of the disclosure. For example, an apparatus may be implemented or a method may be practiced using any number of the aspects set forth herein. In addition, the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover such an apparatus or method which is practiced using other structure, functionality, or structure and functionality in addition to or other than the various aspects of the disclosure set forth herein. It should be understood that any aspect of the disclosure disclosed herein may be embodied by one or more elements of a claim.

Several aspects of telecommunication systems will now be presented with reference to various apparatuses and techniques. These apparatuses and techniques will be described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, modules, components, circuits, steps, processes, algorithms, or the like (collectively referred to as “elements”). These elements may be implemented using hardware, software, or combinations thereof. Whether such elements are implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.

While aspects may be described herein using terminology commonly associated with a 5G or New Radio (NR) radio access technology (RAT), aspects of the present disclosure can be applied to other RATs, such as a 3G RAT, a 4G RAT, and/or a RAT subsequent to 5G (e.g., 6G).

FIG.1is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless network100, in accordance with the present disclosure. The wireless network100may be or may include elements of a 5G (e.g., NR) network and/or a 4G (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE)) network, among other examples. The wireless network100may include one or more base stations110(shown as a BS110a, a BS110b, a BS110c, and a BS110d), a user equipment (UE)120or multiple UEs120(shown as a UE120a, a UE120b, a UE120c, a UE120d, and a UE120e), and/or other network entities. A base station110is an entity that communicates with UEs120. A base station110(sometimes referred to as a BS) may include, for example, an NR base station, an LTE base station, a Node B, an eNB (e.g., in 4G), a gNB (e.g., in 5G), an access point, and/or a transmission reception point (TRP). Each base station110may provide communication coverage for a particular geographic area. In the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), the term “cell” can refer to a coverage area of a base station110and/or a base station subsystem serving this coverage area, depending on the context in which the term is used.

A base station110may provide communication coverage for a macro cell, a pico cell, a femto cell, and/or another type of cell. A macro cell may cover a relatively large geographic area (e.g., several kilometers in radius) and may allow unrestricted access by UEs120with service subscriptions. A pico cell may cover a relatively small geographic area and may allow unrestricted access by UEs120with service subscription. A femto cell may cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a home) and may allow restricted access by UEs120having association with the femto cell (e.g., UEs120in a closed subscriber group (CSG)). A base station110for a macro cell may be referred to as a macro base station. A base station110for a pico cell may be referred to as a pico base station. A base station110for a femto cell may be referred to as a femto base station or an in-home base station. In the example shown inFIG.1, the BS110amay be a macro base station for a macro cell102a, the BS110bmay be a pico base station for a pico cell102b, and the BS110cmay be a femto base station for a femto cell102c. A base station may support one or multiple (e.g., three) cells.

In some examples, a cell may not necessarily be stationary, and the geographic area of the cell may move according to the location of a base station110that is mobile (e.g., a mobile base station). In some examples, the base stations110may be interconnected to one another and/or to one or more other base stations110or network nodes (not shown) in the wireless network100through various types of backhaul interfaces, such as a direct physical connection or a virtual network, using any suitable transport network.

The wireless network100may include one or more relay stations. A relay station is an entity that can receive a transmission of data from an upstream station (e.g., a base station110or a UE120) and send a transmission of the data to a downstream station (e.g., a UE120or a base station110). A relay station may be a UE120that can relay transmissions for other UEs120. In the example shown inFIG.1, the BS110d(e.g., a relay base station) may communicate with the BS110a(e.g., a macro base station) and the UE120din order to facilitate communication between the BS110aand the UE120d. A base station110that relays communications may be referred to as a relay station, a relay base station, a relay, or the like.

The wireless network100may be a heterogeneous network that includes base stations110of different types, such as macro base stations, pico base stations, femto base stations, relay base stations, or the like. These different types of base stations110may have different transmit power levels, different coverage areas, and/or different impacts on interference in the wireless network100. For example, macro base stations may have a high transmit power level (e.g., 5 to 40 watts) whereas pico base stations, femto base stations, and relay base stations may have lower transmit power levels (e.g., 0.1 to 2 watts).

A network controller130may couple to or communicate with a set of base stations110and may provide coordination and control for these base stations110. The network controller130may communicate with the base stations110via a backhaul communication link. The base stations110may communicate with one another directly or indirectly via a wireless or wireline backhaul communication link.

The UEs120may be dispersed throughout the wireless network100, and each UE120may be stationary or mobile. A UE120may include, for example, an access terminal, a terminal, a mobile station, and/or a subscriber unit. A UE120may be a cellular phone (e.g., a smart phone), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem, a wireless communication device, a handheld device, a laptop computer, a cordless phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a tablet, a camera, a gaming device, a netbook, a smartbook, an ultrabook, a medical device, a biometric device, a wearable device (e.g., a smart watch, smart clothing, smart glasses, a smart wristband, smart jewelry (e.g., a smart ring or a smart bracelet)), an entertainment device (e.g., a music device, a video device, and/or a satellite radio), a vehicular component or sensor, a smart meter/sensor, industrial manufacturing equipment, a global positioning system device, and/or any other suitable device that is configured to communicate via a wireless medium.

Some UEs120may be considered machine-type communication (MTC) or evolved or enhanced machine-type communication (eMTC) UEs. An MTC UE and/or an eMTC UE may include, for example, a robot, a drone, a remote device, a sensor, a meter, a monitor, and/or a location tag, that may communicate with a base station, another device (e.g., a remote device), or some other entity. Some UEs120may be considered Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices, and/or may be implemented as NB-IoT (narrowband IoT) devices. Some UEs120may be considered a Customer Premises Equipment. A UE120may be included inside a housing that houses components of the UE120, such as processor components and/or memory components. In some examples, the processor components and the memory components may be coupled together. For example, the processor components (e.g., one or more processors) and the memory components (e.g., a memory) may be operatively coupled, communicatively coupled, electronically coupled, and/or electrically coupled.

In general, any number of wireless networks100may be deployed in a given geographic area. Each wireless network100may support a particular RAT and may operate on one or more frequencies. A RAT may be referred to as a radio technology, an air interface, or the like. A frequency may be referred to as a carrier, a frequency channel, or the like. Each frequency may support a single RAT in a given geographic area in order to avoid interference between wireless networks of different RATs. In some cases, NR or 5G RAT networks may be deployed.

In some examples, two or more UEs120(e.g., shown as UE120aand UE120e) may communicate directly using one or more sidelink channels (e.g., without using a base station110as an intermediary to communicate with one another). For example, the UEs120may communicate using peer-to-peer (P2P) communications, device-to-device (D2D) communications, a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) protocol (e.g., which may include a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) protocol, a vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) protocol, or a vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) protocol), and/or a mesh network. In such examples, a UE120may perform scheduling operations, resource selection operations, and/or other operations described elsewhere herein as being performed by the base station110.

Devices of the wireless network100may communicate using the electromagnetic spectrum, which may be subdivided by frequency or wavelength into various classes, bands, channels, or the like. For example, devices of the wireless network100may communicate using one or more operating bands. 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). It should be understood that 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.

The frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are often referred to as mid-band frequencies. Recent 5G NR studies have identified an operating band for these mid-band frequencies as frequency range designation FR3 (7.125 GHz-24.25 GHz). Frequency bands falling within FR3 may inherit FR1 characteristics and/or FR2 characteristics, and thus may effectively extend features of FR1 and/or FR2 into mid-band frequencies. In addition, higher frequency bands are currently being explored to extend 5G NR operation beyond 52.6 GHz. For example, three higher operating bands have been identified as frequency range designations FR4a or FR4-1 (52.6 GHz-71 GHz), FR4 (52.6 GHz-114.25 GHz), and FR5 (114.25 GHz-300 GHz). Each of these higher frequency bands falls within the EHF band.

With the above examples 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, FR4, FR4-a or FR4-1, and/or FR5, or may be within the EHF band. It is contemplated that the frequencies included in these operating bands (e.g., FR1, FR2, FR3, FR4, FR4-a, FR4-1, and/or FR5) may be modified, and techniques described herein are applicable to those modified frequency ranges.

In some aspects, the UE120may include a communication manager140. As described in more detail elsewhere herein, the communication manager140may adjust an amplifier of the UE120to a highest gain state after a downlink period and before an uplink period and adjust the amplifier of the UE120to a lower gain state after the uplink period and before a subsequent downlink period. Additionally, or alternatively, the communication manager140may perform one or more other operations described herein.

In some aspects, the base station110may include a communication manager150. As described in more detail elsewhere herein, the communication manager150may receive an indication of a capability associated with an amplifier of the UE120and, based on the indication, refrain from scheduling a transmission. Additionally, or alternatively, the communication manager150may perform one or more other operations described herein.

As indicated above,FIG.1is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with regard toFIG.1.

FIG.2is a diagram illustrating an example200of a base station110in communication with a UE120in a wireless network100, in accordance with the present disclosure. The base station110may be equipped with a set of antennas234athrough234t, such as T antennas (T≥1). The UE120may be equipped with a set of antennas252athrough252r, such as R antennas (R≥1).

At the base station110, a transmit processor220may receive data, from a data source212, intended for the UE120(or a set of UEs120). The transmit processor220may select one or more modulation and coding schemes (MCSs) for the UE120based at least in part on one or more channel quality indicators (CQIs) received from that UE120. The base station110may process (e.g., encode and modulate) the data for the UE120based at least in part on the MCS(s) selected for the UE120and may provide data symbols for the UE120. The transmit processor220may process system information (e.g., for semi-static resource partitioning information (SRPI)) and control information (e.g., CQI requests, grants, and/or upper layer signaling) and provide overhead symbols and control symbols. The transmit processor220may generate reference symbols for reference signals (e.g., a cell-specific reference signal (CRS) or a demodulation reference signal (DMRS)) and synchronization signals (e.g., a primary synchronization signal (PSS) or a secondary synchronization signal (SSS)). A transmit (TX) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) processor230may perform spatial processing (e.g., precoding) on the data symbols, the control symbols, the overhead symbols, and/or the reference symbols, if applicable, and may provide a set of output symbol streams (e.g., T output symbol streams) to a corresponding set of modems232(e.g., T modems), shown as modems232athrough232t. For example, each output symbol stream may be provided to a modulator component (shown as MOD) of a modem232. Each modem232may use a respective modulator component to process a respective output symbol stream (e.g., for OFDM) to obtain an output sample stream. Each modem232may further use a respective modulator component to process (e.g., convert to analog, amplify, filter, and/or upconvert) the output sample stream to obtain a downlink signal. The modems232athrough232tmay transmit a set of downlink signals (e.g., T downlink signals) via a corresponding set of antennas234(e.g., T antennas), shown as antennas234athrough234t.

At the UE120, a set of antennas252(shown as antennas252athrough252r) may receive the downlink signals from the base station110and/or other base stations110and may provide a set of received signals (e.g., R received signals) to a set of modems254(e.g., R modems), shown as modems254athrough254r. For example, each received signal may be provided to a demodulator component (shown as DEMOD) of a modem254. Each modem254may use a respective demodulator component to condition (e.g., filter, amplify, downconvert, and/or digitize) a received signal to obtain input samples. Each modem254may use a demodulator component to further process the input samples (e.g., for OFDM) to obtain received symbols. A MIMO detector256may obtain received symbols from the modems254, may perform MIMO detection on the received symbols if applicable, and may provide detected symbols. A receive processor258may process (e.g., demodulate and decode) the detected symbols, may provide decoded data for the UE120to a data sink260, and may provide decoded control information and system information to a controller/processor280. The term “controller/processor” may refer to one or more controllers, one or more processors, or a combination thereof. A channel processor may determine a reference signal received power (RSRP) parameter, a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) parameter, a reference signal received quality (RSRQ) parameter, and/or a CQI parameter, among other examples. In some examples, one or more components of the UE120may be included in a housing284.

The network controller130may include a communication unit294, a controller/processor290, and a memory292. The network controller130may include, for example, one or more devices in a core network. The network controller130may communicate with the base station110via the communication unit294.

One or more antennas (e.g., antennas234athrough234tand/or antennas252athrough252r) may include, or may be included within, one or more antenna panels, one or more antenna groups, one or more sets of antenna elements, and/or one or more antenna arrays, among other examples. An antenna panel, an antenna group, a set of antenna elements, and/or an antenna array may include one or more antenna elements (within a single housing or multiple housings), a set of coplanar antenna elements, a set of non-coplanar antenna elements, and/or one or more antenna elements coupled to one or more transmission and/or reception components, such as one or more components ofFIG.2.

On the uplink, at the UE120, a transmit processor264may receive and process data from a data source262and control information (e.g., for reports that include RSRP, RSSI, RSRQ, and/or CQI) from the controller/processor280. The transmit processor264may generate reference symbols for one or more reference signals. The symbols from the transmit processor264may be precoded by a TX MIMO processor266if applicable, further processed by the modems254(e.g., for DFT-s-OFDM or CP-OFDM), and transmitted to the base station110. In some examples, the modem254of the UE120may include a modulator and a demodulator. In some examples, the UE120includes a transceiver. The transceiver may include any combination of the antenna(s)252, the modem(s)254, the MIMO detector256, the receive processor258, the transmit processor264, and/or the TX MIMO processor266. The transceiver may be used by a processor (e.g., the controller/processor280) and the memory282to perform aspects of any of the methods described herein (e.g., with reference toFIGS.5-8).

At the base station110, the uplink signals from UE120and/or other UEs may be received by the antennas234, processed by the modem232(e.g., a demodulator component, shown as DEMOD, of the modem232), detected by a MIMO detector236if applicable, and further processed by a receive processor238to obtain decoded data and control information sent by the UE120. The receive processor238may provide the decoded data to a data sink239and provide the decoded control information to the controller/processor240. The base station110may include a communication unit244and may communicate with the network controller130via the communication unit244. The base station110may include a scheduler246to schedule one or more UEs120for downlink and/or uplink communications. In some examples, the modem232of the base station110may include a modulator and a demodulator. In some examples, the base station110includes a transceiver. The transceiver may include any combination of the antenna(s)234, the modem(s)232, the MIMO detector236, the receive processor238, the transmit processor220, and/or the TX MIMO processor230. The transceiver may be used by a processor (e.g., the controller/processor240) and the memory242to perform aspects of any of the methods described herein (e.g., with reference toFIGS.5-8).

The controller/processor240of the base station110, the controller/processor280of the UE120, and/or any other component(s) ofFIG.2may perform one or more techniques associated with adjusting a UE amplifier to reduce latency, as described in more detail elsewhere herein. For example, the controller/processor240of the base station110, the controller/processor280of the UE120, and/or any other component(s) ofFIG.2may perform or direct operations of, for example, process600ofFIG.6, and/or other processes as described herein. The memory242and the memory282may store data and program codes for the base station110and the UE120, respectively. In some examples, the memory242and/or the memory282may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing one or more instructions (e.g., code and/or program code) for wireless communication. For example, the one or more instructions, when executed (e.g., directly, or after compiling, converting, and/or interpreting) by one or more processors of the base station110and/or the UE120, may cause the one or more processors, the UE120, and/or the base station110to perform or direct operations of, for example, process600ofFIG.6, and/or other processes as described herein. In some examples, executing instructions may include running the instructions, converting the instructions, compiling the instructions, and/or interpreting the instructions, among other examples.

In some aspects, a UE (e.g., the UE120and/or apparatus700ofFIG.7) may include means for adjusting an amplifier of the UE to a highest gain state after a downlink period and before an uplink period; and/or means for adjusting the amplifier of the UE to a lower gain state after the uplink period and before a subsequent downlink period. In some aspects, the means for the UE to perform operations described herein may include, for example, one or more of communication manager140, antenna252, modem254, MIMO detector256, receive processor258, transmit processor264, TX MIMO processor266, controller/processor280, or memory282.

In some aspects, a base station (e.g., the base station110and/or apparatus800ofFIG.8) may include means for receiving an indication of a capability associated with an amplifier of a UE (e.g., the UE120and/or apparatus700ofFIG.7); and/or means for refraining from scheduling a transmission based on the indication. In some aspects, the means for the base station to perform operations described herein may include, for example, one or more of communication manager150, transmit processor220, TX MIMO processor230, modem232, antenna234, MIMO detector236, receive processor238, controller/processor240, memory242, or scheduler246.

While blocks inFIG.2are illustrated as distinct components, the functions described above with respect to the blocks may be implemented in a single hardware, software, or combination component or in various combinations of components. For example, the functions described with respect to the transmit processor264, the receive processor258, and/or the TX MIMO processor266may be performed by or under the control of the controller/processor280.

As indicated above,FIG.2is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with regard toFIG.2.

FIG.3is a diagram illustrating an example300of a set of slots, in accordance with the present disclosure. As shown inFIG.3, example300includes a set of slots301that includes at least a first slot (e.g., represented by n) and a subsequent slot (e.g., represented by n+1). As used herein, “slot” may refer a portion of a radio frame (or a subframe) within an LTE, 5G, or other wireless communication structure. In some aspects, a slot may include one or more symbols. Moreover, “symbol” may refer to an OFDM symbol or another similar symbol within a slot. Although described herein with respect to two slots, the description similarly applies to additional slots (e.g., three slots, four slots, and so on).

As further shown inFIG.3, each slot includes a plurality of symbols. Although depicted with fourteen symbols in each slot, other aspects may include fewer symbols (e.g., thirteen symbols, twelve symbols, and so on) or additional symbols (e.g., fifteen symbols, sixteen symbols, and so on) in each slot. Each symbol may be allocated (e.g., by a base station, such as base station110) as a downlink symbol (shown as “D” inFIG.3) for transmissions from the base station110to a UE (e.g., UE120), as an uplink symbol (shown as “U” inFIG.3) for transmissions from the UE120to the base station110, or as a flexible symbol (shown as “F” inFIG.3) for either transmissions from the UE120to the base station110or transmissions from the base station110to the UE120.

Accordingly, as shown inFIG.3, the UE120may transition from downlink periods (e.g., including one or more downlink symbols, optionally with one or more flexible symbols) to uplink periods (e.g., including one or more uplink symbols, optionally with one or more flexible symbols) and from uplink periods to downlink periods. In example500, the UE120transitions within a slot, but the UE120may additionally or alternatively transition at a slot boundary.

In some cases, a UE may be allocated (e.g., by a base station) more downlink symbols than uplink symbols. For example, the UE may execute a downlink-heavy application, such as a mobile game, a video player, another multimedia player, or another application that relies on large amounts of downlink data. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE may execute an application sensitive to downlink latency.

During downlink reception, the UE applies at least one amplifier, such as a low-noise amplifier (LNA), to an analog signal received at one or more antennas of the UE in order to improve chances of successful filtering, demodulation, and decoding. However, the LNA is powered off during uplink transmission in order to reduce distortion in uplink signals transmitted using the antenna(s) and to conserve power at the UE.

However, an LNA may consume an average of 20 microseconds (μs) and a maximum of 300 μs when the LNA is powered on. This creates latency during transition from an uplink period to a downlink period and can result in the UE failing to properly receive, filter, demodulate, and decode one or more initial symbols during the downlink period.

Some techniques and apparatuses described herein enable a UE (e.g., the UE120) to transition an LNA from a lower gain state during a downlink period (e.g., used to improve downlink reception) to a highest gain state during an uplink period and back to the lower gain state during a subsequent downlink period. For example, the LNA may consume an average of 2 μs and a maximum of 5 μs during a gain state transition. As a result, latency between the uplink period and the subsequent downlink period is reduced without significant increases in power consumption or distortion of signals.

As indicated above,FIG.3is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with respect toFIG.3.

FIGS.4A and4Bare diagrams illustrating examples400and450, respectively, of amplifier states for a UE, in accordance with the present disclosure. As shown inFIGS.4A and4B, an amplifier401(e.g., an LNA) of a UE (e.g., a cellular phone, such as a smart phone, a laptop computer, a tablet, and/or another UE) may amplify analog signals from one or more antennas of the UE. The amplifier may be associated with different gain states.

FIG.4Ashows an example of a lower gain state for the amplifier401. Accordingly, in example400, a controller403(e.g., a microprocessor) instructs the amplifier401to apply the lower gain state, and the amplifier401therefore amplifies analog signals from the antenna(s) as shown.

FIG.4Bshows an example of a highest gain state for the amplifier401. Accordingly, in example400, the controller403instructs the amplifier401to apply the highest gain state, and the amplifier401therefore does not significantly alter analog signals from the antenna(s) as shown.

By controlling the gain state of the amplifier401(e.g., as described in connection withFIG.5), the UE can reduce latency between an uplink period and a subsequent downlink period without significant increases in power consumption or distortion of uplink signals.

As indicated above,FIGS.4A and4Bare provided as examples. Other examples may differ from what is described with respect toFIGS.4A and4B.

FIG.5is a diagram illustrating an example500associated with adjusting a UE amplifier to reduce latency, in accordance with the present disclosure. As shown inFIG.5, a base station110and a UE120may communicate with one another. The base station110may be included in a wireless network, such as wireless network100ofFIG.1. The UE120may include a cellular phone, such as a smart phone, a laptop computer, a tablet, and/or another type of mobile station.

As shown by reference number505, the base station110may transmit, and the UE120may receive, during a downlink period. For example, the base station110may transmit reference signals, control information, data, and/or other downlink communications to the UE120.

In some aspects, the downlink period includes one or more downlink symbols within at least one slot (e.g., as described in connection withFIG.3). Additionally, or alternatively, the downlink period includes at least one flexible symbol within at least one slot (e.g., as described in connection withFIG.3).

As shown by reference number510, the UE120may adjust an amplifier of the UE120to a highest gain state after the downlink period and before an uplink period. For example, a microprocessor or other controller of the UE120may instruct the amplifier to transition to the highest state (e.g., as described in connection withFIG.4B). The UE120may determine when the downlink period transitions to the uplink period based on a radio resource control (RRC) message, a medium access control (MAC) control element (MAC-CE), and/or downlink control information (DCI) from the base station110.

In some aspects, the amplifier is adjusted to the highest gain state after a final symbol of the downlink period. For example, the UE120may use a gap symbol between the downlink period and before the uplink period to transition the amplifier. As an alternative, the UE120may use a cyclic prefix (CP) portion of an initial symbol in the uplink period to transition the amplifier. As an alternative, the amplifier is adjusted to the highest gain state during a flexible symbol between the downlink period and the uplink period.

In some aspects, the base station110may not schedule a transmission during the flexible symbol between the downlink period and the uplink period and/or the initial symbol of the uplink period. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE120may determine that the base station110has not scheduled a transmission during a final symbol (optionally with a penultimate symbol) of the downlink period. Accordingly, the UE120may use the final symbol (optionally with the penultimate symbol) of the downlink period to transition the amplifier.

As shown by reference number515, the UE120may transmit, and the base station110may receive, during the uplink period. For example, the UE120may transmit reference signals, control information, data, and/or other uplink communications to the base station110.

In some aspects, the uplink period includes one or more downlink symbols within at least one slot (e.g., as described in connection withFIG.3). Additionally, or alternatively, the uplink period includes at least one flexible symbol within at least one slot (e.g., as described in connection withFIG.3).

As shown by reference number520, the UE120may adjust the amplifier of the UE120to a lower gain state after the uplink period and before a subsequent downlink period. For example, a microprocessor or other controller of the UE120may instruct the amplifier to transition to the lower state (e.g., as described in connection withFIG.4A). The UE120may determine when the uplink period transitions to the subsequent downlink period based on an RRC message, a MAC-CE, and/or DCI from the base station110.

In some aspects, the amplifier is adjusted to the lower gain state after a final symbol of the uplink period. For example, the UE120may use a gap symbol between the uplink period and before the subsequent downlink period to transition the amplifier. As an alternative, the UE120may use a CP portion of an initial symbol in the subsequent downlink period to transition the amplifier. As an alternative, the amplifier is adjusted to the lower gain state during a flexible symbol between the uplink period and the subsequent downlink period.

In some aspects, the base station110may not schedule a transmission during the flexible symbol between the uplink period and the subsequent downlink period and/or the initial symbol of the subsequent downlink period. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE120may determine that the base station110has not scheduled a transmission during a final symbol (optionally with a penultimate symbol) of the uplink period. Accordingly, the UE120may use the final symbol (optionally with the penultimate symbol) of the uplink period to transition the amplifier.

As shown by reference number525, the base station110may transmit, and the UE120may receive, during a downlink period. For example, the base station110may transmit reference signals, control information, data, and/or other downlink communications to the UE120. A latency associated with reception at the UE120is reduced by adjusting the amplifier to the lower gain state, as described in connection with reference number520.

In some aspects, the subsequent downlink period includes one or more downlink symbols within at least one slot (e.g., as described in connection withFIG.3). Additionally, or alternatively, the subsequent downlink period includes at least one flexible symbol within at least one slot (e.g., as described in connection withFIG.3).

By using techniques as described in connection withFIG.5, the UE120reduces latency between the uplink period and the subsequent downlink period without significant increases in power consumption or distortion of uplink signals.

As indicated above,FIG.5is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with respect toFIG.5.

FIG.6is a diagram illustrating an example process600performed, for example, by a UE, in accordance with the present disclosure. Example process600is an example where the UE (e.g., UE120and/or apparatus700ofFIG.7) performs operations associated with adjusting an amplifier to reduce latency.

As shown inFIG.6, in some aspects, process600may include adjusting an amplifier of the UE to a highest gain state after a downlink period and before an uplink period (block610). For example, the UE (e.g., using communication manager140and/or adjustment component708, depicted inFIG.7) may adjust an amplifier of the UE to a highest gain state after a downlink period and before an uplink period, as described herein.

As further shown inFIG.6, in some aspects, process600may include adjusting the amplifier of the UE to a lower gain state after the uplink period and before a subsequent downlink period (block620). For example, the UE (e.g., using communication manager140and/or adjustment component708) may adjust the amplifier of the UE to a lower gain state after the uplink period and before a subsequent downlink period, as described herein.

Process600may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below and/or in connection with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

In a first aspect, the amplifier includes an LNA.

In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, the downlink period includes one or more downlink symbols within at least one slot.

In a third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, the downlink period includes at least one flexible symbol within at least one slot.

In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through third aspects, the uplink period includes one or more uplink symbols within at least one slot.

In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourth aspects, the uplink period includes at least one flexible symbol within at least one slot.

In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fifth aspects, the amplifier is adjusted to the highest gain state after a final symbol of the downlink period.

In a seventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through sixth aspects, the amplifier is adjusted to the highest gain state during a flexible symbol between the downlink period and the uplink period.

In an eighth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through seventh aspects, the amplifier is adjusted to the lower gain state after a final symbol of the uplink period.

In a ninth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through eighth aspects, the amplifier is adjusted to the lower gain state during a flexible symbol between the uplink period and the subsequent downlink period.

In a tenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through ninth aspects, process600further includes receiving (e.g., using communication manager140and/or reception component702, depicted inFIG.7) from a base station (e.g., base station110and/or apparatus800ofFIG.8) during the downlink period.

In an eleventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through tenth aspects, process600further includes transmitting (e.g., using communication manager140and/or transmission component704, depicted inFIG.7) to a base station during the uplink period.

In a twelfth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through eleventh aspects, process600further includes receiving (e.g., using communication manager140and/or reception component702) from a base station during the subsequent downlink period, where a latency associated with the receiving is reduced by adjusting the amplifier to the lower gain state.

AlthoughFIG.6shows example blocks of process600, in some aspects, process600may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted inFIG.6. Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process600may be performed in parallel.

FIG.7is a diagram of an example apparatus700for wireless communication. The apparatus700may be a UE, or a UE may include the apparatus700. In some aspects, the apparatus700includes a reception component702and a transmission component704, which may be in communication with one another (for example, via one or more buses and/or one or more other components). As shown, the apparatus700may communicate with another apparatus706(such as a UE, a base station, or another wireless communication device) using the reception component702and the transmission component704. As further shown, the apparatus700may include the communication manager140. The communication manager140may include an adjustment component708, among other examples.

In some aspects, the apparatus700may be configured to perform one or more operations described herein in connection withFIG.5. Additionally, or alternatively, the apparatus700may be configured to perform one or more processes described herein, such as process600ofFIG.6, or a combination thereof. In some aspects, the apparatus700and/or one or more components shown inFIG.7may include one or more components of the UE described in connection withFIG.2. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more components shown inFIG.7may be implemented within one or more components described in connection withFIG.2. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more components of the set of components may be implemented at least in part as software stored in a memory. For example, a component (or a portion of a component) may be implemented as instructions or code stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium and executable by a controller or a processor to perform the functions or operations of the component.

The reception component702may receive communications, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or a combination thereof, from the apparatus706. The reception component702may provide received communications to one or more other components of the apparatus700. In some aspects, the reception component702may perform signal processing on the received communications (such as filtering, amplification, demodulation, analog-to-digital conversion, demultiplexing, deinterleaving, de-mapping, equalization, interference cancellation, or decoding, among other examples), and may provide the processed signals to the one or more other components of the apparatus700. In some aspects, the reception component702may include one or more antennas, a modem, a demodulator, a MIMO detector, a receive processor, a controller/processor, a memory, or a combination thereof, of the UE described in connection withFIG.2.

The transmission component704may transmit communications, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or a combination thereof, to the apparatus706. In some aspects, one or more other components of the apparatus700may generate communications and may provide the generated communications to the transmission component704for transmission to the apparatus706. In some aspects, the transmission component704may perform signal processing on the generated communications (such as filtering, amplification, modulation, digital-to-analog conversion, multiplexing, interleaving, mapping, or encoding, among other examples), and may transmit the processed signals to the apparatus706. In some aspects, the transmission component704may include one or more antennas, a modem, a modulator, a transmit MIMO processor, a transmit processor, a controller/processor, a memory, or a combination thereof, of the UE described in connection withFIG.2. In some aspects, the transmission component704may be co-located with the reception component702in a transceiver.

In some aspects, the adjustment component708may adjust an amplifier of the apparatus700to a highest gain state after a downlink period and before an uplink period. The adjustment component708may include a modem, a modulator, a transmit MIMO processor, a transmit processor, a modulator, a transmit MIMO processor, a transmit processor, a controller/processor, a memory, or a combination thereof, of the UE described in connection withFIG.2. Additionally, the adjustment component708may adjust the amplifier of the apparatus700to a lower gain state after the uplink period and before a subsequent downlink period.

In some aspects, the reception component702may receive (e.g., form the apparatus706) during the downlink period. Additionally, or alternatively, the transmission component704may transmit (e.g., to the apparatus706) during the uplink period. Additionally, or alternatively, the reception component702may receive (e.g., form the apparatus706) during the subsequent downlink period. A latency associated with the receiving is reduced by the adjustment component708adjusting the amplifier to the lower gain state.

The number and arrangement of components shown inFIG.7are provided as an example. In practice, there may be additional components, fewer components, different components, or differently arranged components than those shown inFIG.7. Furthermore, two or more components shown inFIG.7may be implemented within a single component, or a single component shown inFIG.7may be implemented as multiple, distributed components. Additionally, or alternatively, a set of (one or more) components shown inFIG.7may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of components shown inFIG.7.

FIG.8is a diagram of an example apparatus800for wireless communication. The apparatus800may be a base station, or a base station may include the apparatus800. In some aspects, the apparatus800includes a reception component802and a transmission component804, which may be in communication with one another (for example, via one or more buses and/or one or more other components). As shown, the apparatus800may communicate with another apparatus806(such as a UE, a base station, or another wireless communication device) using the reception component802and the transmission component804. As further shown, the apparatus800may include the communication manager150. The communication manager150may include a scheduling component808, among other examples.

In some aspects, the apparatus800may be configured to perform one or more operations described herein in connection withFIG.5. Additionally, or alternatively, the apparatus800may be configured to perform one or more processes described herein, or a combination thereof. In some aspects, the apparatus800and/or one or more components shown inFIG.8may include one or more components of the base station described in connection withFIG.2. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more components shown inFIG.8may be implemented within one or more components described in connection withFIG.2. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more components of the set of components may be implemented at least in part as software stored in a memory. For example, a component (or a portion of a component) may be implemented as instructions or code stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium and executable by a controller or a processor to perform the functions or operations of the component.

The reception component802may receive communications, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or a combination thereof, from the apparatus806. The reception component802may provide received communications to one or more other components of the apparatus800. In some aspects, the reception component802may perform signal processing on the received communications (such as filtering, amplification, demodulation, analog-to-digital conversion, demultiplexing, deinterleaving, de-mapping, equalization, interference cancellation, or decoding, among other examples), and may provide the processed signals to the one or more other components of the apparatus800. In some aspects, the reception component802may include one or more antennas, a modem, a demodulator, a MIMO detector, a receive processor, a controller/processor, a memory, or a combination thereof, of the base station described in connection withFIG.2.

The transmission component804may transmit communications, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or a combination thereof, to the apparatus806. In some aspects, one or more other components of the apparatus800may generate communications and may provide the generated communications to the transmission component804for transmission to the apparatus806. In some aspects, the transmission component804may perform signal processing on the generated communications (such as filtering, amplification, modulation, digital-to-analog conversion, multiplexing, interleaving, mapping, or encoding, among other examples), and may transmit the processed signals to the apparatus806. In some aspects, the transmission component804may include one or more antennas, a modem, a modulator, a transmit MIMO processor, a transmit processor, a controller/processor, a memory, or a combination thereof, of the base station described in connection withFIG.2. In some aspects, the transmission component804may be co-located with the reception component802in a transceiver.

In some aspects, the reception component802may receive (e.g., from the apparatus806), an indication of a capability associated with an amplifier of the apparatus806. Accordingly, based on the indication, the scheduling component808may refrain from scheduling a transmission during a flexible symbol between a downlink period and an uplink period and/or an initial symbol of the uplink period. Additionally, or alternatively, the scheduling component808may refrain from scheduling a transmission during a final symbol (optionally with a penultimate symbol) of the downlink period. Accordingly, the apparatus806may transition the amplifier during one or more symbols in which the scheduling component808did not schedule a transmission.

Additionally, or alternatively, based on the indication, the scheduling component808may refrain from scheduling a transmission during a flexible symbol between the uplink period and a subsequent downlink period and/or during an initial symbol of the subsequent downlink period. Additionally, or alternatively, the scheduling component808may refrain from scheduling a transmission during a final symbol (optionally with a penultimate symbol) of the uplink period. Accordingly, the apparatus806may transition the amplifier during one or more symbols in which the scheduling component808did not schedule a transmission.

The number and arrangement of components shown inFIG.8are provided as an example. In practice, there may be additional components, fewer components, different components, or differently arranged components than those shown inFIG.8. Furthermore, two or more components shown inFIG.8may be implemented within a single component, or a single component shown inFIG.8may be implemented as multiple, distributed components. Additionally, or alternatively, a set of (one or more) components shown inFIG.8may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of components shown inFIG.8.

The following provides an overview of some Aspects of the present disclosure:

Aspect 1: A method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: adjusting an amplifier of the UE to a highest gain state after a downlink period and before an uplink period; and adjusting the amplifier of the UE to a lower gain state after the uplink period and before a subsequent downlink period.

Aspect 2: The method of Aspect 1, wherein the amplifier comprises a low-noise amplifier (LNA).

Aspect 3: The method of any of Aspects 1 through 2, wherein the downlink period comprises one or more downlink symbols within at least one slot.

Aspect 4: The method of Aspect 3, wherein the downlink period further comprises at least one flexible symbol within the at least one slot.

Aspect 5: The method of any of Aspects 1 through 4, wherein the uplink period comprises one or more uplink symbols within at least one slot.

Aspect 6: The method of Aspect 5, wherein the uplink period further comprises at least one flexible symbol within the at least one slot.

Aspect 7: The method of any of Aspects 1 through 6, wherein the amplifier is adjusted to the highest gain state after a final symbol of the downlink period.

Aspect 8: The method of any of Aspects 1 through 6, wherein the amplifier is adjusted to the highest gain state during a flexible symbol between the downlink period and the uplink period.

Aspect 9: The method of any of Aspects 1 through 8, wherein the amplifier is adjusted to the lower gain state after a final symbol of the uplink period.

Aspect 10: The method of any of Aspects 1 through 8, wherein the amplifier is adjusted to the lower gain state during a flexible symbol between the uplink period and the subsequent downlink period.

Aspect 11: The method of any of Aspects 1 through 10, further comprising: receiving from a base station during the downlink period.

Aspect 12: The method of any of Aspects 1 through 11, further comprising: transmitting to a base station during the uplink period.

Aspect 13: The method of any of Aspects 1 through 12, further comprising: receiving from a base station during the subsequent downlink period, wherein a latency associated with the receiving is reduced by adjusting the amplifier to the lower gain state.

Aspect 14: An apparatus for wireless communication at a device, comprising a processor; memory coupled with the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform the method of one or more of Aspects 1-13.

Aspect 15: A device for wireless communication, comprising a memory and one or more processors coupled to the memory, the one or more processors configured to perform the method of one or more of Aspects 1-13.

Aspect 16: An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising at least one means for performing the method of one or more of Aspects 1-13.

Aspect 17: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform the method of one or more of Aspects 1-13.

Aspect 18: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions for wireless communication, the set of instructions comprising one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a device, cause the device to perform the method of one or more of Aspects 1-13.

The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the aspects to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications and variations may be made in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of the aspects.

As used herein, the term “component” is intended to be broadly construed as hardware and/or a combination of hardware and software. Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, and/or functions, among other examples, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise. As used herein, a processor is implemented in hardware and/or a combination of hardware and software. It will be apparent that systems and/or methods described herein may be implemented in different forms of hardware and/or a combination of hardware and software. The actual specialized control hardware or software code used to implement these systems and/or methods is not limiting of the aspects. Thus, the operation and behavior of the systems and/or methods were described herein without reference to specific software code—it being understood that software and hardware can be designed to implement the systems and/or methods based, at least in part, on the description herein.

As used herein, “satisfying a threshold” may, depending on the context, refer to a value being greater than the threshold, greater than or equal to the threshold, less than the threshold, less than or equal to the threshold, equal to the threshold, not equal to the threshold, or the like.

Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of various aspects. Many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification. The disclosure of various aspects includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set. As used herein, a phrase referring to “at least one of” a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. As an example, “at least one of: a, b, or c” is intended to cover a, b, c, a+b, a+c, b+c, and a+b+c, as well as any combination with multiples of the same element (e.g., a+a, a+a+a, a+a+b, a+a+c, a+b+b, a+c+c, b+b, b+b+b, b+b+c, c+c, and c+c+c, or any other ordering of a, b, and c).

No element, act, or instruction used herein should be construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Further, as used herein, the article “the” is intended to include one or more items referenced in connection with the article “the” and may be used interchangeably with “the one or more.” Furthermore, as used herein, the terms “set” and “group” are intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Where only one item is intended, the phrase “only one” or similar language is used. Also, as used herein, the terms “has,” “have,” “having,” or the like are intended to be open-ended terms that do not limit an element that they modify (e.g., an element “having” A may also have B). Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise. Also, as used herein, the term “or” is intended to be inclusive when used in a series and may be used interchangeably with “and/or,” unless explicitly stated otherwise (e.g., if used in combination with “either” or “only one of”).