Patent ID: 12200671

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.

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 UE120may 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.4-13).

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.4-13).

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 configuring super slots for uplink and downlink, 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, process800ofFIG.8, process900ofFIG.9, process1000ofFIG.10, process1100ofFIG.11, 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, process800ofFIG.8, process900ofFIG.9, process1000ofFIG.10, process1100ofFIG.11, 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 mobile station (e.g., UE120and/or apparatus1200ofFIG.12) may include means for receiving, from a base station (e.g., base station110and/or apparatus1300ofFIG.13), an of a time domain resource allocation, wherein the indication is associated with a starting symbol and a length and comprises symbols across at least two slots; and/or means for communicating, with the base station, using the time domain resource allocation. In some aspects, the means for the mobile station to perform operations described herein may include, for example, one or more of antenna252, modem254, MIMO detector256, receive processor258, transmit processor264, TX MIMO processor266, controller/processor280, or memory282.

Additionally, or alternatively, the mobile station may include means for receiving, from the base station, an indication of at least two slots to be merged, wherein the at least two slots are associated with a periodicity; and/or means for communicating, with the base station and within the at least two slots. In some aspects, the means for the mobile station to perform operations described herein may include, for example, one or more of antenna252, modem254, MIMO detector256, receive processor258, transmit processor264, TX MIMO processor266, controller/processor280, or memory282.

In some aspects, a base station (e.g., base station110and/or apparatus1300ofFIG.13) may include means for transmitting, to a mobile station (e.g., UE120and/or apparatus1200ofFIG.12), an indication of a time domain resource allocation, wherein the indication is associated with a starting symbol and a length and comprises symbols across at least two slots; and/or means for communicating, with the mobile station, using the time domain resource allocation. The means for the base station to perform operations described herein may include, for example, one or more of transmit processor220, TX MIMO processor230, modem232, antenna234, MIMO detector236, receive processor238, controller/processor240, memory242, or scheduler246.

Additionally, or alternatively, the base station may include means for transmitting, to the mobile station, an indication of at least two slots to be merged, wherein the at least two slots are associated with a periodicity; and/or means for communicating, with the mobile station and within the at least two slots. The means for the base station to perform operations described herein may include, for example, one or more of 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 frame structure in a wireless communication network, in accordance with the present disclosure. The frame structure shown inFIG.3is for frequency division duplexing (FDD) in a telecommunication system, such as LTE or NR. The transmission timeline for each of the downlink and uplink may be partitioned into units of radio frames (sometimes referred to as frames). Each radio frame may have a predetermined duration (e.g., 10 milliseconds (ms)) and may be partitioned into a set of Z (Z≥1) subframes (e.g., with indices of 0 through Z−1). Each subframe may have a predetermined duration (e.g., 1 ms) and may include a set of slots (e.g., 2m slots per subframe are shown inFIG.3, where m is an index of a numerology used for a transmission, such as 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or another number). Each slot may include a set of L symbol periods. For example, each slot may include fourteen symbol periods (e.g., as shown inFIG.3), seven symbol periods, or another number of symbol periods. In a case where the subframe includes two slots (e.g., when m=1), the subframe may include 2L symbol periods, where the 2L symbol periods in each subframe may be assigned indices of 0 through 2L−1. In some aspects, a scheduling unit for the FDD may be frame-based, subframe-based, slot-based, mini-slot based, or symbol-based.

A base station is generally limited to transmitting, to a UE, data payloads within a single slot configured for downlink. Similarly, the UE is also limited to transmitting, to the base station, data payloads within a single slot configured for uplink. However, when the base station and the UE have a reliable wireless connection, limiting data payloads to a single slot causes latency when the base station has data to transmit but has to wait until a next downlink slot and/or when the UE has data to transmit but has to wait until a next uplink slot. This latency wastes power and memory overhead at the base station and/or the UE, respectively.

Additionally, when a repetition (e.g., a type B repetition, as defined in 3GPP specifications, and/or another repetition) extends across a boundary between slots, the UE and/or the base station usually must begin the repetition anew in the next slot. This wastes power and processing resources at the UE and/or the base station, respectively. Additionally, network resources are occupied even though the repetition must begin anew in the next slot anyway, which results in inefficient use of network spectrum and increased interference for other devices.

Some techniques and apparatuses described herein enable a base station (e.g., base station110) to configure one or more super slots for a mobile station (e.g., UE120). A super slot may combine symbols across a slot such that the super slot has a length longer than fourteen symbols. Accordingly, a data payload (e.g., transmitted from the base station110to the UE120on a downlink or transmitted from the UE120to the base station110on an uplink) may be larger than when the payload is limited to a single slot. By using larger payloads, the UE120experiences reduced latency when the UE120has data to transmit, and the base station110similarly experiences reduced latency when the base station110has data to transmit. This reduction in latency conserves power and memory overhead at the UE120or the base station110, respectively.

In some aspects, the UE120and/or the base station110may further use a super slot to estimate a channel condition using DMRSs transmitted across slots (e.g., across slots that were combined, at least in part, to form the super slot). Accordingly, the UE120and/or the base station110may obtain a more accurate estimate of channel condition by using cross-slot DMRS measurements. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE120and/or the base station110may reduce a density of DMRSs in the super slot as compared with a single slot. Accordingly, the UE120and/or the base station110may conserve power and processing resources used to generate and transmit DMRSs.

In some aspects, the UE120and/or the base station110may further use a super slot to improve efficiency of repetitions at a slot boundary. For example, the UE120and/or the base station110may transmit a repetition across a slot boundary that is contained within the super slot. This conserves power and processing resources at the UE120and/or the base station110, respectively. Additionally, network spectrum is more efficiently used and interference for other devices is decreased as compared with beginning the repetition anew in the next slot.

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

FIG.4is a diagram illustrating an example400associated with configuring super slots, in accordance with the present disclosure. As shown inFIG.4, example400includes a super slot used by a mobile station (e.g., UE120) to transmit a data payload to a base station (e.g., base station110) on an uplink (e.g., an uplink on wireless network100ofFIG.1). AlthoughFIG.4depicts a super slot for an uplink, the description similarly applies to a super slot for a downlink (e.g., a downlink on wireless network100ofFIG.1).

In example400, a flexible slot401(shown as an “S” slot) may be allocated between the downlink and the uplink. The base station110may configure the super slot407by combining uplink symbols in the flexible slot401with an adjacent uplink slot403(shown as a “U” slot). Accordingly, the flexible slot401includes fourteen symbols between slot boundary405aand405b, and the uplink slot403includes fourteen symbols between slot boundary405band405c, while the super slot407may include more than fourteen symbols and may span at least one slot boundary (e.g., slot boundary405bin example400).

By using the super slot of example400, the UE120may transmit a data payload to the base station110using eighteen symbols rather than fourteen symbols. Other examples may include super slots of smaller size (e.g., seventeen symbols, sixteen symbols, and so on) and/or larger size (e.g., nineteen symbols, twenty symbols, and so on). Although the description focuses on a super slot formed by merging one full slot with a portion of another slot, the description similarly applies to merging portions of two slots, merging two full slots with a portion of a third slot, merging three full slots, merging three full slots with a portion of a fourth slot, and so on.

By using super slots as described in connection withFIG.4, the UE120and/or the base station110may transmit larger payloads in order to reduce latency as well as conserve power and memory overhead at the UE120and/or the base station110, respectively. In some aspects, the UE120and/or the base station110may further use a super slot to estimate a channel condition using DMRSs transmitted across slots (e.g., across the “S” slot401and the “U”403slot in example400). Accordingly, the UE120and/or the base station110may obtain a more accurate estimate of channel condition by using cross-slot DMRS measurements. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE120and/or the base station110may reduce a density of DMRSs in the super slot407to further conserve power and processing resources. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE120and/or the base station110may transmit a repetition across the slot boundary405bthat is contained within the super slot407(e.g., the boundary between the “S” slot401and the “U” slot403in example400) to further conserve power and processing resources as well as use network spectrum more efficiently and reduce interference for other devices.

As indicated above,FIG.4is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with respect toFIG.4.

FIGS.5A and5Bare diagrams illustrating examples500and550associated with dynamically configuring a super slot, in accordance with the present disclosure. As shown inFIGS.5A and5B, examples500and550include super slots used by a mobile station (e.g., UE120) to transmit a data payload to a base station (e.g., base station110) on an uplink (e.g., an uplink on wireless network100ofFIG.1). AlthoughFIGS.5A and5Bdepict super slots for an uplink, the description similarly applies to a super slot for a downlink (e.g., a downlink on wireless network100ofFIG.1).

In example500, the base station110configured the super slot by combining uplink symbols in a flexible slot (shown as an “S” slot) of a slot pattern501awith two adjacent uplink slots (shown as “U” slots) of the slot pattern501a. Accordingly, a larger payload503may be transmitted in the super slot as compared with a single slot.

In example550, the base station110configured the super slot by combining two uplink slots (shown as “U” slots) of a slot pattern501btogether along with a portion of an adjacent uplink slot (also shown as a “U” slot) of the slot pattern501b. Accordingly, a larger payload503may be transmitted in the super slot as compared with a single slot. Although the description focuses on super slots formed by merging two full slots with a portion of another slot, the description similarly applies to merging portions of two slots, merging two full slots, merging three full slots, merging three full slots with a portion of a fourth slot, and so on.

To configure a super slot, the base station110may transmit, and the UE120may receive, an indication of a time domain resource allocation. The indication may be associated with a starting symbol and a length and include symbols across at least two slots. In example500, the indication may be associated with a starting symbol within the “S” slot and a length from that starting symbol to a last symbol of the second “U” slot. In example550, the indication may be associated with a starting symbol that is a first symbol of the first “U” slot and a length between that starting symbol and a symbol within the third “U” slot. Accordingly, in examples500and550, the indication includes symbols across at least two slots.

In some aspects, the indication may include a radio resource control (RRC) message. For example, the starting symbol and the length may be indicated within a PUSCH-Allocation data structure (e.g., defined in 3GPP specifications and/or another standard) and/or another similar data structure included in the RRC message. Additionally, or alternatively, the indication may include downlink control information (DCI). For example, the starting symbol and the length may be indicated within a time domain resource assignment field (e.g., defined in 3GPP specifications and/or another standard) and/or another similar field within the DCI. In some aspects, the DCI may include an index that maps to one time domain resource allocation from a list of time domain resource allocations (e.g., a PUSCHOTimeDomainResourceAllocationList as defined in 3GPP specifications and/or another similar list), where the time domain resource allocation indicates the starting symbol and the length

In some aspects, the indication may include an index based at least in part on the starting symbol and the length. For example, the indication may include a start and length indicator value (SLIV), where the SLIV is a single value that indicates both the starting symbol and the length. The SLIV may be encoded such that the length exceeds fourteen. Accordingly, the indication will include symbols across at least two slots. Additionally, or alternatively, the indication may include the starting symbol and the length. For example, the indication may include a startSymbol value (e.g., defined in 3GPP specifications and/or another standard) and/or another similar value as well as a length value (e.g., defined in 3GPP specifications and/or another standard) and/or another similar value. The length value may exceed fourteen such that the indication will include symbols across at least two slots.

The base station110and the UE120may communicate using the time domain resource allocation. For example, as shown in examples500and550, the communication may include the UE120transmitting the payload503to the base station110(e.g., on the uplink). In some aspects, the indication may be associated with dynamic scheduling for the uplink. For example, the super slot may be activated by DCI for the payload503. As an alternative, the indication may be associated with a configured grant scheduling scheme for the uplink. For example, the super slot may be activated by RRC (e.g., for Type 1 configured grant scheduling) and/or DCI (e.g., for Type 2 configured grant scheduling) for periodic transmissions to the base station110.

As an alternative, the communication may include the UE120receiving a payload from the base station110(e.g., on the downlink). In some aspects, the indication may be associated with dynamic scheduling for the downlink. For example, the super slot may be activated by DCI for one payload. As an alternative, the indication may be associated with a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration for the downlink. For example, the super slot may be activated by RRC and/or DCI for periodic transmissions from the base station110.

By using super slots as described in connection withFIGS.5A and5B, the UE120and/or the base station110may transmit larger payloads in order to reduce latency and conserve power and processing resources at the UE120and/or the base station110, respectively. In some aspects, the UE120and/or the base station110may further use a super slot to estimate a channel condition using DMRSs transmitted across slots (e.g., across the “S” slot and one or more of the “U” slots in example500or across one or more of the “U” slots in example550). Accordingly, the UE120and/or the base station110may obtain a more accurate estimate of channel condition by using cross-slot DMRS measurements. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE120and/or the base station110may reduce a density of DMRSs in the super slot to further conserve power and processing resources. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE120and/or the base station110may transmit a repetition across a slot boundary that is contained within the super slot (e.g., the boundary between the “S” slot and the first “U” slot in example500, the boundary between the two “U” slots in example500, the boundary between the first “U” slot and the second “U” slot in example550, or the boundary between the second “U” slot and the final “U” slot in example550) to further conserve power and processing resources as well as use network spectrum more efficiently and reduce interference for other devices.

As indicated above,FIGS.5A and5Bare provided as examples. Other examples may differ from what is described with respect toFIGS.5A and5B.

FIGS.6and7are diagrams illustrating examples600and700associated with semi-statically configuring a super slot, in accordance with the present disclosure. As shown inFIG.6, a base station (e.g., base station110) may configure slots, for a mobile station (e.g., UE120) to use for uplink or downlink, using a combination of RRC messages and DCI. In example600, the base station110may configure slots with a periodicity of twelve such that a pattern of slots repeats every twelve slots. For example, an initial slot pattern601a(three downlink slots followed by six flexible slots followed by three uplink slots, in example600) may be configured using a TDD-UL-DL-ConfigCommon data structure (e.g., as defined in 3GPP specifications and/or another standard) and/or other similar data structure in an RRC message. Additionally, in some aspects, the initial pattern601amay be refined to slot pattern601b(five downlink slots followed by two flexible slots followed by five uplink slots, in example600) using a TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated data structure (e.g., as defined in 3GPP specifications and/or another standard) and/or other similar data structure in another RRC message. In some aspects, remaining flexible slots may be divided between downlink and uplink symbols (optionally including one or more guard symbols shown as “X” symbols between downlink and uplink symbols) using DCI. For example, as shown inFIG.6, the base station110may use groupCommonDCI (e.g., as defined in 3GPP specifications and/or another standard) to divide the first flexible slot according to symbol pattern603aremaining and use scheduling DCI (e.g., for dynamic scheduling) to divide the second flexible slot according to symbol pattern603b.

One or more of these RRC messages and/or DCI may be used to form super slots (e.g., as described in connection withFIG.4). Additionally, or alternatively, one or more new RRC messages and/or new DCI may be used to form the super slots. As shown inFIG.7, example700includes a super slot703used by the mobile station (e.g., the UE120) to transmit a data payload to the base station (e.g., the base station110) on an uplink (e.g., an uplink on wireless network100ofFIG.1). AlthoughFIG.7depicts a super slot for an uplink, the description similarly applies to a super slot for a downlink (e.g., a downlink on wireless network100ofFIG.1).

In example700, the base station110may configure the super slot703by combining three adjacent uplink slots701a,701b, and701c(shown as “U” slots). Although the description focuses on super slots formed by merging three full slots, the description similarly applies to merging portions of two slots, merging two full slots, merging two full slots with a portion of a third slot, merging three full slots with a portion of a fourth slot, merging four full slots, and so on.

To configure the super slot703, the base station110may transmit, and the UE120may receive, an indication of at least two slots to be merged. The at least two slots may be associated with a periodicity (e.g., as described in connection withFIG.6). Accordingly, the super slot703including the at least two slots repeats in time based at least in part on the periodicity. In example700, the seventh, eighth, and ninth slots within every twelve slots, repeated in time, form the super slot703.

In some aspects, the at least two slots may include at least one flexible slot. For example, the base station110may convert the at least one flexible slot into an uplink slot for use in an uplink super slot or may convert the at least one flexible slot into a downlink slot for use in a downlink super slot. Additionally, or alternatively, the at least two slots may include at least one downlink slot or at least one uplink slot. For example, the base station110may combine uplink slots and/or flexible slots converted to uplink slots into an uplink super slot. In another example, the base station110may combine downlink slots and/or flexible slots converted to downlink slots into a downlink super slot.

In some aspects, the indication may be based at least in part on a starting symbol and a length. For example, as described in connection withFIGS.5A-5B, the indication may include an SLIV and/or include the starting symbol and the length. Additionally, or alternatively, the indication may include a bitmap based at least in part on the periodicity. For example, the indication may include a set of bits, where each bit is associated with a corresponding one of the slots, and each bit indicates whether the corresponding slot is included in a super slot. Accordingly, in one example, a bitmap of ‘0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0’ may indicate that the seventh, eighth, and ninth slots within every twelve slots, repeated in time, form the super slot703, as shown in example700. In another example, a bitmap of ‘0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0’ may indicate that the second and third slots within every twelve slots, repeated in time, form one super slot and that the seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth slots within every twelve slots, repeated in time, form another super slot.

In some aspects, the base station110may transmit, and the UE120may receive, an indication of a plurality of slots and the periodicity. The at least two slots may be included in the plurality of slots. In some aspects, and as described in connection withFIG.6, the indication of the plurality of slots may include at least one RRC message. For example, the indication of the plurality of slots may include a TDD-UL-DL-ConfigCommon data structure and/or a TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated data structure.

The base station110and the UE120may communicate, within the at least two slots. In some aspects, the base station110and the UE120may communicate using a transport block that is larger than a transport block associated with a single slot. For example, as shown in example700, the communication may include the UE120transmitting a payload (e.g., associated with a transport block that is larger than a transport block associated with a single slot) to the base station110(e.g., on the uplink). As an alternative, the communication may include the UE120receiving a payload (e.g., associated with a transport block that is larger than a transport block associated with a single slot) from the base station110(e.g., on the downlink).

In some aspects, the UE120and the base station110may identify the at least two slots by an index associated with a first slot of the at least two slots. Accordingly, the base station110and the UE120may preserve existing slot structures for scheduling transmissions and use the index associated with the first slot to schedule within the super slot. Additionally, because the base station110configures the super slot with a periodicity (e.g., as described above), the UE120may schedule internal hardware events outside of the super slot. For example, the UE120may adjust one or more radio frequency (RF) parameters of one or more antennas, one or more modulators, one or more demodulators, or other hardware at a slot boundary not included within the super slot.

In some aspects, the base station110may transmit, and the UE120may receive, an indication of a change to the at least two slots. In some aspects, the indication of the change may include an RRC message. For example, the base station110may transmit a new TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated data structure and/or a new RRC message to deactivate one or more current super slots and/or create one or more new super slots. Additionally, or alternatively, the indication of the change may include DCI. For example, the base station110may transmit a new slot format indicator (SFI) in DCI format 2_0 (e.g., as defined in 3GPP specifications and/or another standard) and/or new DCI to deactivate one or more current super slots and/or create one or more new super slots.

By using super slots as described in connection withFIGS.6and7, the UE120and/or the base station110may transmit larger payloads in order to reduce latency and conserve power processing resources at the UE120and/or the base station110, respectively. In some aspects, the UE120and/or the base station110may further use a super slot to estimate a channel condition using DMRSs transmitted across slots (e.g., across the “U” slots701a,701b, and701cin example700). Accordingly, the UE120and/or the base station110may obtain a more accurate estimate of channel condition by using cross-slot DMRS measurements. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE120and/or the base station110may reduce a density of DMRSs in the super slot to further conserve power and processing resources. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE120and/or the base station110may transmit a repetition across a slot boundary that is contained within the super slot (e.g., the boundary between the first “U” slot701aand the second “U” slot701bin example700or the boundary between the second “U” slot701band the third “U” slot701cin example700) to further conserve power and processing resources as well as use network spectrum more efficiently and reduce interference for other devices.

In some aspects, examples600and700may be combined with example500and/or example550. For example, the base station110may semi-statically configure one or more super slots with a periodicity, as described above in connection with examples600and700, and also dynamically configure one or more super slots for dynamic scheduling, configured grant scheduling schemes, and/or SPS configurations. Accordingly, the UE120may transmit a payload to the base station110(e.g., on the uplink) using a semi-static super slot or a dynamically configured super slot. Similarly, the base station110may transmit a payload to the UE120(e.g., on the downlink) using a semi-static super slot or a dynamically configured super slot.

As indicated above,FIGS.6and7are provided as examples. Other examples may differ from what is described with respect toFIGS.6and7.

FIG.8is a diagram illustrating an example process800performed, for example, by a mobile station, in accordance with the present disclosure. Example process800is an example where the mobile station (e.g., UE120and/or apparatus1200ofFIG.12) performs operations associated with configuring super slots for uplink and downlink.

As shown inFIG.8, in some aspects, process800may include receiving, from a base station (e.g., base station110and/or apparatus1300ofFIG.13), an indication of a time domain resource allocation (block810). For example, the mobile station (e.g., using reception component1202, depicted inFIG.12) may receive, from a base station, an indication of a time domain resource allocation, as described herein. In some aspects, the indication is associated with a starting symbol and a length and includes symbols across at least two slots.

As further shown inFIG.8, in some aspects, process800may include communicating, with the base station, using the time domain resource allocation (block820). For example, the mobile station (e.g., using reception component1202and/or transmission component1204, depicted inFIG.12) may communicate, with the base station, using the time domain resource allocation, as described herein.

Process800may 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 indication includes an RRC message.

In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, the indication includes DCI.

In a third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, the indication includes an index based at least in part on the starting symbol and the length.

In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through third aspects, the indication includes the starting symbol and the length.

In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourth aspects, communicating with the base station comprises receiving (e.g., using reception component1202) data from the base station.

In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fifth aspects, the indication is associated with dynamic scheduling.

In a seventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through sixth aspects, the indication is associated with an SPS configuration.

In an eighth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through seventh aspects, communicating with the base station comprises transmitting (e.g., using transmission component1204) data to the base station.

In a ninth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through eighth aspects, the indication is associated with dynamic scheduling.

In a tenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through ninth aspects, the indication is associated with a configured grant scheduling scheme.

AlthoughFIG.8shows example blocks of process800, in some aspects, process800may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted inFIG.8. Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process800may be performed in parallel.

FIG.9is a diagram illustrating an example process900performed, for example, by a base station, in accordance with the present disclosure. Example process900is an example where the base station (e.g., base station110and/or apparatus1300ofFIG.13) performs operations associated with configuring super slots for uplink and downlink.

As shown inFIG.9, in some aspects, process900may include transmitting, to a mobile station (e.g., UE120and/or apparatus1200ofFIG.12), an indication of a time domain resource allocation (block910). For example, the base station (e.g., using transmission component1304, depicted inFIG.13) may transmit, to a mobile station, an indication of a time domain resource allocation, as described herein. In some aspects, the indication is associated with a starting symbol and a length and includes symbols across at least two slots.

As further shown inFIG.9, in some aspects, process900may include communicating, with the mobile station, using the time domain resource allocation (block920). For example, the base station (e.g., using transmission component1304and/or reception component1302, depicted inFIG.13) may communicate, with the mobile station, using the time domain resource allocation, as described herein.

Process900may 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 indication includes an RRC message.

In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, the indication includes DCI.

In a third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, the indication includes an index based at least in part on the starting symbol and the length.

In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through third aspects, the indication includes the starting symbol and the length.

In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourth aspects, communicating with the mobile station comprises transmitting (e.g., using transmission component1304) data to the mobile station.

In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fifth aspects, the indication is associated with dynamic scheduling.

In a seventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through sixth aspects, the indication is associated with an SPS configuration.

In an eighth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through seventh aspects, communicating with the mobile station comprises receiving (e.g., using reception component1302) data from the mobile station.

In a ninth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through eighth aspects, the indication is associated with dynamic scheduling.

In a tenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through ninth aspects, the indication is associated with a configured grant scheduling scheme.

AlthoughFIG.9shows example blocks of process900, in some aspects, process900may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted inFIG.9. Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process900may be performed in parallel.

FIG.10is a diagram illustrating an example process1000performed, for example, by a mobile station, in accordance with the present disclosure. Example process1000is an example where the mobile station (e.g., UE120and/or apparatus1200ofFIG.12) performs operations associated with configuring super slots for uplink and downlink.

As shown inFIG.10, in some aspects, process1000may include receiving, from a base station (e.g., base station110and/or apparatus1300ofFIG.13), an indication of at least two slots to be merged (block1010). For example, the mobile station (e.g., using reception component1202, depicted inFIG.12) may receive, from a base station, an indication of at least two slots to be merged, as described herein. In some aspects, the at least two slots are associated with a periodicity.

As further shown inFIG.10, in some aspects, process1000may include communicating, with the base station and within the at least two slots (block1020). For example, the mobile station (e.g., using reception component1202and/or transmission component1204, depicted inFIG.12) may communicate, with the base station and within the at least two slots, as described herein.

Process1000may 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, process1000further includes receiving (e.g., using reception component1202), from the base station, an indication of a plurality of slots and the periodicity, where the at least two slots are included in the plurality of slots.

In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, the indication of the plurality of slots includes at least one RRC message.

In a third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, the at least two slots include at least one uplink slot.

In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through third aspects, the at least two slots include at least one downlink slot.

In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourth aspects, the at least two slots include at least one flexible slot.

In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fifth aspects, the indication is based at least in part on a starting symbol and a length.

In a seventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through sixth aspects, the indication includes a bitmap based at least in part on the periodicity.

In an eighth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through seventh aspects, the at least two slots are identified by an index associated with a first slot of the at least two slots.

In a ninth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through eighth aspects, process1000further includes receiving (e.g., using reception component1202), from the base station, an indication of a change to the at least two slots.

In a tenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through ninth aspects, the indication of the change includes DCI.

In an eleventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through tenth aspects, the indication of the change includes an RRC message.

In a twelfth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through eleventh aspects, communicating with the base station comprises transmitting (e.g., using transmission component1204) data to the base station.

In a thirteenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through twelfth aspects, communicating with the base station comprises receiving (e.g., using reception component1202) data from the base station.

AlthoughFIG.10shows example blocks of process1000, in some aspects, process1000may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted inFIG.10. Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process1000may be performed in parallel.

FIG.11is a diagram illustrating an example process1100performed, for example, by a base station, in accordance with the present disclosure. Example process1100is an example where the base station (e.g., base station110and/or apparatus1300ofFIG.13) performs operations associated with configuring super slots for uplink and downlink.

As shown inFIG.11, in some aspects, process1100may include transmitting, to a mobile station (e.g., UE120and/or apparatus1200ofFIG.12), an indication of at least two slots to be merged (block1110). For example, the base station (e.g., using transmission component1304, depicted inFIG.13) may transmit, to the mobile station, an indication of at least two slots to be merged, as described herein. In some aspects, the at least two slots are associated with a periodicity.

As further shown inFIG.11, in some aspects, process1100may include communicating, with the mobile station and within the at least two slots (block1120). For example, the base station (e.g., using transmission component1304and/or reception component1302, depicted inFIG.13) may communicate, with the mobile station and within the at least two slots, as described herein.

Process1100may 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, process1100further includes transmitting (e.g., using transmission component1304), to the mobile station, an indication of a plurality of slots and the periodicity, where the at least two slots are included in the plurality of slots.

In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, the indication of the plurality of slots includes at least one RRC message.

In a third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, the at least two slots include at least one uplink slot.

In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through third aspects, the at least two slots include at least one downlink slot.

In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourth aspects, the at least two slots include at least one flexible slot.

In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fifth aspects, the indication is based at least in part on a starting symbol and a length.

In a seventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through sixth aspects, the indication includes a bitmap based at least in part on the periodicity.

In an eighth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through seventh aspects, the at least two slots are identified by an index associated with a first slot of the at least two slots.

In a ninth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through eighth aspects, process1100further includes transmitting (e.g., using transmission component1304), to the mobile station, an indication of a change to the at least two slots.

In a tenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through ninth aspects, the indication of the change includes DCI.

In an eleventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through tenth aspects, the indication of the change includes an RRC message.

In a twelfth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through eleventh aspects, communicating with the mobile station comprises transmitting (e.g., using transmission component1304) data to the mobile station.

In a thirteenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through twelfth aspects, communicating with the mobile station comprises receiving (e.g., using reception component1302) data from the mobile station.

AlthoughFIG.11shows example blocks of process1100, in some aspects, process1100may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted inFIG.11. Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process1100may be performed in parallel.

FIG.12is a block diagram of an example apparatus1200for wireless communication. The apparatus1200may be a mobile station, or a mobile station may include the apparatus1200. In some aspects, the apparatus1200includes a reception component1202and a transmission component1204, 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 apparatus1200may communicate with another apparatus1206(such as a UE, a base station, or another wireless communication device) using the reception component1202and the transmission component1204. As further shown, the apparatus1200may include a determination component1208, among other examples.

In some aspects, the apparatus1200may be configured to perform one or more operations described herein in connection withFIGS.4-7. Additionally, or alternatively, the apparatus1200may be configured to perform one or more processes described herein, such as process800ofFIG.8, process1000ofFIG.10, or a combination thereof. In some aspects, the apparatus1200and/or one or more components shown inFIG.12may include one or more components of the UE described above in connection withFIG.2. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more components shown inFIG.12may be implemented within one or more components described above 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 component1202may receive communications, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or a combination thereof, from the apparatus1206. The reception component1202may provide received communications to one or more other components of the apparatus1200. In some aspects, the reception component1202may 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 apparatus1200. In some aspects, the reception component1202may include one or more antennas, a demodulator, a MIMO detector, a receive processor, a controller/processor, a memory, or a combination thereof, of the UE described above in connection withFIG.2.

The transmission component1204may transmit communications, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or a combination thereof, to the apparatus1206. In some aspects, one or more other components of the apparatus1200may generate communications and may provide the generated communications to the transmission component1204for transmission to the apparatus1206. In some aspects, the transmission component1204may 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 apparatus1206. In some aspects, the transmission component1204may include one or more antennas, a modulator, a transmit MIMO processor, a transmit processor, a controller/processor, a memory, or a combination thereof, of the UE described above in connection withFIG.2. In some aspects, the transmission component1204may be co-located with the reception component1202in a transceiver.

In some aspects, the reception component1202may receive, from the apparatus1206, an indication of a time domain resource allocation. The indication may be associated with a starting symbol and a length and include symbols across at least two slots. For example, the determination component1208may determine the symbols across at least two slots based at least in part on the indication. The determination component1208may include a receive processor, a transmit processor, a controller/processor, a memory, or a combination thereof, of the UE described above in connection withFIG.2. Accordingly, the reception component1202and/or the transmission component1204may communicate, with the apparatus1206, using the time domain resource allocation.

Additionally, or alternatively, the reception component1202may receive, from the apparatus1206, an indication of at least two slots to be merged, where the at least two slots are associated with a periodicity. For example, the determination component1208may determine the at least two slots based at least in part on the indication. Accordingly, the reception component1202and/or the transmission component1204may communicate, with the apparatus1206and within the at least two slots. In some aspects, the reception component1202may receive, from the apparatus1206, an indication of a plurality of slots and the periodicity, where the at least two slots are included in the plurality of slots. Additionally, or alternatively, the reception component1202may receive, from the apparatus1206, an indication of a change to the at least two slots. Accordingly, the reception component1202and/or the transmission component1204may communicate, with the apparatus1206, based at least in part on the indication of the change.

The number and arrangement of components shown inFIG.12are provided as an example. In practice, there may be additional components, fewer components, different components, or differently arranged components than those shown inFIG.12. Furthermore, two or more components shown inFIG.12may be implemented within a single component, or a single component shown inFIG.12may be implemented as multiple, distributed components. Additionally, or alternatively, a set of (one or more) components shown inFIG.12may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of components shown inFIG.12.

FIG.13is a block diagram of an example apparatus1300for wireless communication. The apparatus1300may be a base station, or a base station may include the apparatus1300. In some aspects, the apparatus1300includes a reception component1302and a transmission component1304, 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 apparatus1300may communicate with another apparatus1306(such as a UE, a base station, or another wireless communication device) using the reception component1302and the transmission component1304. As further shown, the apparatus1300may include an encoding component1308, among other examples.

In some aspects, the apparatus1300may be configured to perform one or more operations described herein in connection withFIGS.4-7. Additionally, or alternatively, the apparatus1300may be configured to perform one or more processes described herein, such as process900ofFIG.9, process1100ofFIG.11, or a combination thereof. In some aspects, the apparatus1300and/or one or more components shown inFIG.13may include one or more components of the base station described above in connection withFIG.2. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more components shown inFIG.13may be implemented within one or more components described above 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 component1302may receive communications, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or a combination thereof, from the apparatus1306. The reception component1302may provide received communications to one or more other components of the apparatus1300. In some aspects, the reception component1302may 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 apparatus1300. In some aspects, the reception component1302may include one or more antennas, a demodulator, a MIMO detector, a receive processor, a controller/processor, a memory, or a combination thereof, of the base station described above in connection withFIG.2.

The transmission component1304may transmit communications, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or a combination thereof, to the apparatus1306. In some aspects, one or more other components of the apparatus1300may generate communications and may provide the generated communications to the transmission component1304for transmission to the apparatus1306. In some aspects, the transmission component1304may 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 apparatus1306. In some aspects, the transmission component1304may include one or more antennas, a modulator, a transmit MIMO processor, a transmit processor, a controller/processor, a memory, or a combination thereof, of the base station described above in connection withFIG.2. In some aspects, the transmission component1304may be co-located with the reception component1302in a transceiver.

In some aspects, the transmission component1304may transmit, to the apparatus1306, an indication of a time domain resource allocation. The indication may be associated with a starting symbol and a length and include symbols across at least two slots. For example, the encoding component1308may encode the indication based at least in part on the starting symbol and the length. The encoding component1308may include a receive processor, a transmit processor, a controller/processor, a memory, or a combination thereof, of the base station described above in connection withFIG.2. Accordingly, the reception component1302and/or the transmission component1304may communicate, with the apparatus1306, using the time domain resource allocation.

Additionally, or alternatively, the transmission component1304may transmit, to the apparatus1306, an indication of at least two slots to be merged, where the at least two slots are associated with a periodicity. For example, the encoding component1308may encode the indication based at least in part on the at least two symbols. Accordingly, the reception component1302and/or the transmission component1304may communicate, with the apparatus1306and within the at least two slots. In some aspects, the transmission component1304may transmit, to the apparatus1306, an indication of a plurality of slots and the periodicity, where the at least two slots are included in the plurality of slots. Additionally, or alternatively, the transmission component1304may transmit, to the apparatus1306, an indication of a change to the at least two slots. Accordingly, the reception component1302and/or the transmission component1304may communicate, with the apparatus1306, based at least in part on the indication of the change.

The number and arrangement of components shown inFIG.13are provided as an example. In practice, there may be additional components, fewer components, different components, or differently arranged components than those shown inFIG.13. Furthermore, two or more components shown inFIG.13may be implemented within a single component, or a single component shown inFIG.13may be implemented as multiple, distributed components. Additionally, or alternatively, a set of (one or more) components shown inFIG.13may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of components shown inFIG.13.

The following provides an overview of some Aspects of the present disclosure:Aspect 1: A method of wireless communication, comprising: receiving, at a mobile station and from a base station, an indication of a time domain resource allocation, wherein the indication is associated with a starting symbol and a length and comprises symbols across at least two slots; and communicating, with the base station, using the time domain resource allocation.Aspect 2: The method of Aspect 1, wherein the indication comprises a radio resource control (RRC) message.Aspect 3: The method of Aspect 1, wherein the indication comprises downlink control information (DCI).Aspect 4: The method of any of Aspects 1 through 3, wherein the indication comprises an index based at least in part on the starting symbol and the length.Aspect 5: The method of any of Aspects 1 through 3, wherein the indication comprises the starting symbol and the length.Aspect 6: The method of any of Aspects 1 through 5, wherein communicating with the base station comprises receiving data from the base station.Aspect 7: The method of Aspect 6, wherein the indication is associated with dynamic scheduling.Aspect 8: The method of Aspect 6, wherein the indication is associated with a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration.Aspect 9: The method of any of Aspects 1 through 5, wherein communicating with the base station comprises transmitting data to the base station.Aspect 10: The method of Aspect 9, wherein the indication is associated with dynamic scheduling.Aspect 11: The method of Aspect 9, wherein the indication is associated with a configured grant scheduling scheme.Aspect 12: A method of wireless communication, comprising: transmitting, at a base station and to a mobile station, an indication of a time domain resource allocation, wherein the indication is associated with a starting symbol and a length and comprises symbols across at least two slots; and communicating, with the mobile station, using the time domain resource allocation.Aspect 13: The method of Aspect 12, wherein the indication comprises a radio resource control (RRC) message.Aspect 14: The method of Aspect 12, wherein the indication comprises downlink control information (DCI).Aspect 15: The method of any of Aspects 12 through 14, wherein the indication comprises an index based at least in part on the starting symbol and the length.Aspect 16: The method of any of Aspects 12 through 14, wherein the indication comprises the starting symbol and the length.Aspect 17: The method of any of Aspects 12 through 16, wherein communicating with the mobile station comprises transmitting data to the mobile station.Aspect 18: The method of Aspect 17, wherein the indication is associated with dynamic scheduling.Aspect 19: The method of Aspect 17, wherein the indication is associated with a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration.Aspect 20: The method of any of Aspects 12 through 16, wherein communicating with the mobile station comprises receiving data from the mobile station.Aspect 21: The method of Aspect 20, wherein the indication is associated with dynamic scheduling.Aspect 22: The method of Aspect 20, wherein the indication is associated with a configured grant scheduling scheme.Aspect 23: A method of wireless communication, comprising: receiving, at a mobile station and from a base station, an indication of at least two slots to be merged, wherein the at least two slots are associated with a periodicity; and communicating, with the base station and within the at least two slots.Aspect 24: The method of Aspect 23, further comprising: receiving, from the base station, an indication of a plurality of slots and the periodicity, wherein the plurality of slots include the at least two slots.Aspect 25: The method of Aspect 24, wherein the indication of the plurality of slots comprises at least one radio resource control (RRC) message.Aspect 26: The method of any of Aspects 23 through 25, wherein the at least two slots comprise at least one uplink slot.Aspect 27: The method of any of Aspects 23 through 26, wherein the at least two slots comprise at least one downlink slot.Aspect 28: The method of any of Aspects 23 through 27, wherein the at least two slots comprise at least one flexible slot.Aspect 29: The method of any of Aspects 23 through 28, wherein the indication is based at least in part on a starting symbol and a length.Aspect 30: The method of any of Aspects 23 through 28, wherein the indication comprises a bitmap based at least in part on the periodicity.Aspect 31: The method of any of Aspects 23 through 30, wherein the at least two slots are identified by an index associated with a first slot of the at least two slots.Aspect 32: The method of any of Aspects 23 through 31, further comprising: receiving, from the base station, an indication of a change to the at least two slots.Aspect 33: The method of Aspect 32, wherein the indication of the change comprises downlink control information (DCI).Aspect 34: The method of Aspect 32, wherein the indication of the change comprises a radio resource control (RRC) message.Aspect 35: The method of any of Aspects 23 through 34, wherein communicating with the base station comprises transmitting data to the base station.Aspect 36: The method of any of Aspects 23 through 34, wherein communicating with the base station comprises receiving data from the base station.Aspect 37: A method of wireless communication, comprising: transmitting, at a base station and to a mobile station, an indication of at least two slots to be merged, wherein the at least two slots are associated with a periodicity; and communicating, with the mobile station and within the at least two slots.Aspect 38: The method of Aspect 37, further comprising: transmitting, to the mobile station, an indication of a plurality of slots and the periodicity, wherein the plurality of slots include the at least two slots.Aspect 39: The method of Aspect 38, wherein the indication of the plurality of slots comprises at least one radio resource control (RRC) message.Aspect 40: The method of any of Aspects 37 through 39, wherein the at least two slots comprise at least one uplink slot.Aspect 41: The method of any of Aspects 37 through 40, wherein the at least two slots comprise at least one downlink slot.Aspect 42: The method of any of Aspects 37 through 41, wherein the at least two slots comprise at least one flexible slot.Aspect 43: The method of any of Aspects 37 through 42, wherein the indication is based at least in part on a starting symbol and a length.Aspect 44: The method of any of Aspects 37 through 42, wherein the indication comprises a bitmap based at least in part on the periodicity.Aspect 45: The method of any of Aspects 37 through 44, wherein the at least two slots are identified by an index associated with a first slot of the at least two slots.Aspect 46: The method of any of Aspects 37 through 45, further comprising: transmitting, to the mobile station, an indication of a change to the at least two slots.Aspect 47: The method of Aspect 46, wherein the indication of the change comprises downlink control information (DCI).Aspect 48: The method of Aspect 46, wherein the indication of the change comprises a radio resource control (RRC) message.Aspect 49: The method of any of Aspects 37 through 48, wherein communicating with the mobile station comprises transmitting data to the mobile station.Aspect 50: The method of any of Aspects 37 through 48, wherein communicating with the mobile station comprises receiving data from the mobile station.Aspect 51: 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 1-11.Aspect 52: 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 1-11.Aspect 53: An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising at least one means for performing the method of one or more of Aspects 1-11.Aspect 54: 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 1-11.Aspect 55: 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 1-11.Aspect 56: 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 12-22.Aspect 57: 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 12-22.Aspect 58: An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising at least one means for performing the method of one or more of Aspects 12-22.Aspect 59: 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 12-22.Aspect 60: 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 12-22.Aspect 61: 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 23-36.Aspect 62: 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 23-36.Aspect 63: An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising at least one means for performing the method of one or more of Aspects 23-36.Aspect 64: 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 23-36.Aspect 65: 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 23-36.Aspect 66: 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 37-50.Aspect 67: 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 37-50.Aspect 68: An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising at least one means for performing the method of one or more of Aspects 37-50.Aspect 69: 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 37-50.Aspect 70: 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 37-50.

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 are described herein without reference to specific software code, since those skilled in the art will understand 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”).